Coastal Washington has lots of water. The Middle East does not. So, what’s the sensible thing to do? Why, ship Washington water to Qatar, right?.
That’s what they’re thinking nowadays down in Aberdeen, anyway. And it’s not a pipe dream, either. Gulf Pacific Rim Group of Doha, Qatar, is asking about buying 30 million gallons of water a day, maybe more, according to a story in the Aberdeen Daily World by Stephen Friederich. http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/06/25/local_news/doc4a43b73844d7f921445785.txt
Gulf Pacific has even engaged a Seattle-area firm to handle the negotiations. You can’t make up this kind of stuff.
Aberdeen Public Works Director Larry Bledsoe told the City Council this week that with the closure of Weyerhaeuser’s mill in nearby Cosmopolis, that city finds itself with excess water.
Freiderich’s piece is almost over before Bledsoe himself sounds the question that lots of big thinkers on water have posed as these move-the-water schemes have come forward in recent years:
Beyond the economic questions, there are a lot of societal questions, too. Like, do we want to sell our water to an overseas company?
On the other hand, Aberdeen could use the dough. And, have you watched “Chinatown” lately? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown_(1974_movie)
(Other, more journalistic looks at the issue include Peter Anin's wonderful "The Great Lakes Water Wars" http://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-Water-Wars/dp/1559630876 and, of course, Marc Reisner's classic tale of Western water, "Cadillac Desert." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Desert)
The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
“They knew he was dying,” says his wife, who wasn’t told until it was too late
Get the inside scoop in your inbox, free.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters and never miss an investigation.
TRIPLE your gift today!
From now until Dec. 31, NewsMatch and a generous local donor will each match community donations, matching your new monthly donation 12 times or TRIPLE your new one-time gift, all up to $1,000.
