The amount of water in the human body ranges from 45-75%. With an extensive list of functions, water is a priority to our body’s survival. Being an essential to our good health, every human should be guaranteed the right to clean water as a basic function of living. So how could we function without it? And what would happen if our clean water was taken away? Just ask the residents of Kewaunee County, who’s clean water has been contaminated by the CAFO farmers in their community. Residents of the community, like myself, have been struggling to find solutions to this county crisis. The poor quality of water in Kewaunee County negatively affects the public’s health and jeopardizes the citizens safety. A necessary solution is to halt CAFO production completely until the farmers can develop a system that does not jeopardize the community’s water supply.
I am writing because I am concerned with the effects of contaminated groundwater in Kewaunee County. This problem has been devastating for the public’s health. The manure pollution in the water has led to increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses, neurobehavioral symptoms, and psychological impairments because of exposure to contaminants released at the facilities. There are numerous health complications stemming straight from the emissions of the CAFOs and the manure pollution into the communities groundwater. Other health outcomes in addition to respiratory illnesses have been associated with CAFO-related exposures, including odor-related illnesses.
Odorant compounds produced at CAFOs can affect health in a number of ways. At high concentrations, these chemicals can produce significant irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes and induce symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, and nausea. In addition, mixtures with non-odorant chemicals can produce inflammation as well as obstruct airflow. All these things have made life horrible for our residents of Kewaunee County. The quality of life is drastically reduced when a CAFO is operating in a community’s vicinity. The contamination of water, and emission of gasses make it unpleasant and unhealthy to live in the area.
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As a member of the Kewaunee community I am extremely upset. For too long our county’s residents have had to deal with the risks of unsafe drinking water. Because the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) does not regulate private wells, and the petition to the EPA did not invoke its emergency authorities, our only option left is to protest as a community. Our community must fight for stronger regulations and better health standards. The health of the members in the community is and should be the first priority. The federal Clean Water Act prohibits discharges of pollutants from point sources into U.S. waters without a permit. If the state, local and federal authorities fail to regulate the CAFOs destruction, from whom will we receive justice for our water crisis?
The Kewaunee County community must recognize the severity of this problem, and be willing to battle state legislators, County board members, and even U.S officials for a resolution. Since 2010, humans have had a right to water, as declared by the UN General Assembly. As CAFOs in Kewaunee County have taken away this right from its residents, the community must express their frustration. So how can the people make a difference? It is time to stand up. It is important for the people who are being affected to share their stories. I encourage all residents to speak up on how the quality of life has been diminished in their homes due to the groundwater contamination. The community needs to come together in a joint effort to make a change.
The people must demand stronger regulation for the CAFO farmers. The community must protest for standards that will keep their families safe. Shutting down the CAFOs will create urgency in finding a medium in which they may operate without harm to the residents health. Searching for solutions to the water pollution while still operating is not acceptable for the people of the County. The CAFOs must shut down until a feasible solution to eliminating pollution in surrounding communities has been developed. As soon as a CAFO production begins negatively affecting a community, operations must be ceased until the pollution has been fixed. Being proactive, rather than reactive is appropriate in preserving the environment, and health of those dwelling on it.
It is disappointing to see how negatively our community has suffered due to the local CAFOs. If properly managed, located, and monitored, “CAFOs can provide a low-cost source of meat, milk, and eggs, due to efficient feeding and housing of animals, increased facility size, and animal specialization” (Hribar pg. 2). Often, when CAFOs are set up in a local area, they enhance the local economy and increase employment. The effects of using local materials, feed, and livestock for CAFO operations ripple throughout the economy and allow for local progression. Unfortunately, if poorly managed or regulated, CAFOs have the ability to destroy the safety and quality of life of the community, as seen here in Kewaunee County.
Water is a nutrient of the utmost importance to the human body. When looking at the benefits towards the human body, the list is endless. Water regulates your body temperature, protects your tissues, spinal cord, and joints. It helps excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation. Water helps maximize physical performance, helps with nutrient absorption, and improves blood oxygen circulation. It helps fight off illness, aids in cognitive function, and helps boost energy. Water is a basic need for the human body, and critical for our daily function. When our human right of water is taken away like it has here in Kewaunee County, it is not something to be taken lightly.
