innovate arkansas

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation released a study Thursday that examines the future of Arkansas' water supply, one that those involved with the report say is uncertain unless long-term solutions are adopted.

Results of the study, "Water Issues in Arkansas: An Unfinished Story," were presented at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. It was conducted by FTN Associates, an engineering and environmental consulting firm in Little Rock, and Joe Nix, an aquatic chemist and retired Ouachita Baptist University professor. It examines the results of a survey of 400 Arkansans, conducted by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Institute of Economic Advancement, and their views on the state's water supply. An additional 75 representatives of public, business, agricultural, nonprofit and academic sectors also were interviewed.

"Arkansas is considered a water-rich state," Foundation President Sherece West said. "But without good preservation, planning and conservation, we may be in trouble."

West said the study is meant to identify options and tools and initiate a dialogue about how to preserve the state's water supply.

"That is the primary purpose of this study," Kent Thornton of FTN Associates said. "Most folks think we're at a critical juncture. Some believe we're already in a crisis."

A summary of the report is available here.

High-priority issues identified in the study include:

• Lack of understanding about water resources
• Water pollution caused by runoff
• Groundwater depletion
• Inadequate water distribution
• Lack of stewardship

"Over the past 20 years, there has been a steady and progressive increase in water usage in Arkansas," Thornton said, whereas the U.S. average usage has remained constant since 1990.

In 1980, Arkansans were using 161 gallons a day per person, compared to 181 gallons in 2000. The U.S. average is 149 gallons. West said the agriculture industry is "by far" the largest user, doubling the amount used for irrigation between 1990 and 2000.

Another issue is contention over ownership.

"The philosophy is 'I own the land, I own the water,'" Thornton said. "No one owns the water. Being a good steward of water is fundamentally important."

Various policies were considered in the study to address those problems, including economic incentives for conservation; managing groundwater and surface water through one agency; managing water quality and pollution through one agency; establishing a "Vision 2025 Committee" to develop a model for sustainable water resources by 2025 and to establish a comprehensive state water code commission; and increasing public awareness.

"The report is being shared with policy makers across the state," said Bill Rahn, a former senior program manager for the Foundation.

He said that 2,000 copies are being distributed. Beyond that, the Arkansas Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel have been awarded grants to share results of the study with community groups across the state.

Thornton said legislators are expected to review the study during the 2009 session.

"It's not like all of the solutions are going to come during the 2009 general assembly," he said. "Their efforts are going to go on before the 2009 session but as well beyond that."

Thornton said some examples of how to effectively manage water can be seen in Australia, South Africa and, here in the U.S., in California. The difference is that those areas had to be reactive, whereas Arkansas should be proactive.

Also during the presentation, a portion of an Arkansas Educational Television Network documentary, "Troubled Water," was shown, which features interviews from people across the state affected by water issues, particularly in the fields of agriculture and natural gas drilling.

Click here to view the documentary, which will be broadcast Oct. 19.