The Paradox of Water : The Science and Policy of Safe Drinking Water

Water is a molecular marvel. Its seemingly simple formula—H2O—dictates the properties that make water both essential for life and easily contaminated. Herein lies the paradox of water: we cannot live without it, but it is easily rendered “unsafe.” The Paradox of Water explores the intersection of the scientific, social, and policy implications around access to safe drinking water. Drinking water is the smallest fraction of water used by a nation. Yet, the quality of this fraction is what dictates whether a community is healthy, educated, and economically sustained. Bhawani Venkataraman argues that a deeper understanding of the chemical nature of water is crucial to appreciating the challenges around access to safe drinking water. Drawing on recent research and case studies from the US and abroad, this book offers students an understanding of: the processes and oversight needed to ensure the safety of drinking water the role of the precautionary principle in managing drinking water potential solutions for expanding sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water Water is a molecular marvel. Its seemingly simple formula—H2O—dictates the properties that make water both essential for life and easily contaminated. Herein lies the paradox of water: we cannot live without it, but it is easily rendered “unsafe.” __The Paradox of Water__ explores the intersection of the scientific, social, and policy implications around access to safe drinking water. Drinking water is the smallest fraction of water used by a nation. Yet, the quality of this fraction is what dictates whether a community is healthy, educated, and economically sustained. Bhawani Venkataraman argues that a deeper understanding of the chemical nature of water is crucial to appreciating the challenges around access to safe drinking water. Drawing on recent research and case studies from the US and abroad, this book offers students an understanding of: * the processes and oversight needed to ensure the safety of drinking water * the role of the precautionary principle in managing drinking water * potential solutions for expanding sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water For over 15 years, I have been teaching at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, The New School, in New York City. At The New School, we encourage students to explore contemporary, socially relevant issues through interdisciplinary lenses and to use their education to strive for a more socially just, equitable future for all. So, the questions I grappled with when I first came to The New School were: How can the teaching and learning of chemistry be achieved through socially relevant contexts? What topics would engage students? What current issues rely on chemical perspectives to inform solutions and policies that demonstrate the relevance of chemistry? But, at the same time, the topic should clearly illustrate the importance of drawing from multiple disciplines in informing approaches and policies, and issues of justice and equity must be central to the topic. "Water is a molecular marvel. Its seemingly simple formula - H2O -dictates the properties that make water essential for life and easily contaminated. Herein lies the paradox of water-we cannot live without it, but it is easily rendered "unsafe." The Paradox of Water explores the intersection of the scientific, social, and policy implications around access to safe drinking water. Drinking water is the smallest fraction of water used by a nation, yet, access to safe drinking water supports educational opportunities, helps overcome gender inequities, lowers familial stress, and enables more socially and economically productive uses of time"-- Provided by publisher