Small is beautiful

 

Consideration of any policy determinants for water management should acknowledge that the contemporary water cycle is wholly compromised by almost every aspect of modern society, which in turn conspires to maintain the status quo.

This is apparent and deeply ingrained in the bureaucratic systems that govern us, nationally and locally, as they are a major part of the problem.

A comprehensive water policy would address a wide range of interlinked issues; fluoridation; local organic farming; pollution; topsoil loss, water poverty; renewable energy; local GM production, etc.

We need to recognise how far reaching changes do … or don’t need to be. Extensive, though mostly limited to the landscape and organisational structures.

Questions of scale, transparency, social benefit & local control are crucial; simply, when it comes to water, food, energy, public health etc … Small is Beautiful, as defined by Schumacher in Slad, nearly four decades ago.

The important issues here are; protection of the public against critical risks in local water cycle; grass-roots engagement; a robust & diverse approach; using goodwill as an enabler within community catchment partnerships; local economic activity; recognition that public & environmental wellbeing are one continuous curve.

We flood because we have no honest hydraulic strategy, model or plan to attempt to prevent flooding, let alone any proper consideration or responsibility for the principles of ecological water management in municipal planning.