The Mississippi River is a source of water that a number of cities rely upon. It is estimated to provide water to more than 18 million people in 10 states, making it one of the most important water sources in America. Cities across the nation use the Mississippi River for a variety of reasons, which include drinking, industry and agriculture. While not all of these cities take their water directly from the river, they are still dependent upon the river.
One city that has been using the Mississippi River as a water source for decades is New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is home to nearly half a million residents who rely on the Mississippi for drinking water purposes. The city draws its water from the river and then treats the water before it is released for drinking use. The city also utilizes the river for irrigation, and commercial and recreational uses.
Another city that uses the Mississippi River for its main water source is Memphis, Tennessee. The city of Memphis is one of the largest cities in Tennessee with over 658,000 residents. Its residents have been drinking, washing, and irrigating with the river for over a century, and the city has devised a way to maximize the utility of its limited how to of the river.
St Paul, Minnesota is yet another city that relies on the Mississippi River as its main water source. The city draws its drinking water directly from the river, and uses it for industrial purposes and agricultural purposes as well. The city also has a sewage treatment system that utilizes the river for filtration, and a massive levee system to protect its citizens from potential floods.
On the other side of the Mississippi River is Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa City is home to over 70,000 residents, and it draws its drinking water primarily from the river. The city also uses the river for wastewater treatment and wastewater disposal as well. In addition, the city uses the river’s flow to generate hydroelectric power and provide irrigation to the surrounding area.
The city of St Louis, Missouri also draws its water from the Mississippi River. With a population of over 315,000, St Louis is the largest city in Missouri, and it draws its water from the river to keep their citizens hydrated. The city has also been using the river for industrial use and agricultural irrigation for decades.
Finally, the city of Hannibal, Missouri has also been relying on the Mississippi for its water supply for quite some time. Hannibal is located directly along the river, and its citizens have been utilizing the river for transportation, drinking water, irrigation, and other purposes since the early 19th century.
Community Involvement
The cities mentioned above are all heavily involved in their local communities and are always looking for ways to give back. For example, New Orleans is home to a number of community outreach and volunteer initiatives, including the America’s Wetland campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the wetlands of Louisiana. Similarly, St Louis is home to a number of environmental groups, such as the St Louis River Alliance and the Greater St Louis Trout Unlimited, that are devoted to preserving the natural beauty of the city and its surrounding areas.
In addition, Memphis is highly involved in a number of environmental initiatives, such as the Greenleaf Restoration Project, which works to restore the wetlands of the greater Memphis area. Iowa City is also host to the Iowa Wetland Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore over 6,000 acres of wetlands and grasslands in the city.
In Hannibal, the Hannibal Floodplain Task Force is dedicated to protecting its citizens from potential threats of flooding and other disasters. The task force works to identify potential threats and then works to come up with solutions to address them before major damage is caused.
Environmental Concerns
While the Mississippi River is an important water source for many cities, it is also the source of numerous environmental concerns. One of the biggest concerns is water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial waste. The Mississippi River is home to many large-scale industrial operations, and the chemicals and pollutants they release into the water can be dangerous when ingested. Similarly, agriculture runoff from surrounding farms can be harmful when it enters the river.
In addition, climate change is causing more severe droughts and floods, which in turn can also lead to water contamination. When major storms occur, there is a risk of pollutants entering the river, which can be dangerous to the public. Lastly, the dams that the cities use to regulate the flow of the Mississippi River can reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, making it unsafe to drink.
Sustainable Practices
In order to address these environmental concerns, the cities mentioned above have implemented a variety of sustainable practices. For example, many of the cities have began to implement stricter regulations over emissions from industrial and agricultural operations to reduce the amount of contaminants released into the river. In addition, most of the cities have upgraded their water treatment systems to better filter out pollutants from the river water before it is released for human consumption.
In terms of flood control, many of the cities have begun to erect levees and dams to prevent flooding and to mitigate the effects of severe weather. Additionally, the cities are working together to come up with new solutions to address the issue of water pollution and climate change. Recently, they have been looking into the use of artificial wetland areas to filter out pollutants, as well as more efficient irrigation techniques to conserve water and reduce runoff.
Investing in the Future
The cities of the Mississippi River are investing in the future by investing in green solutions. For example, New Orleans has been using green infrastructure to help limit runoff and prevent flooding, while Memphis has been investing in native plantings to help restore the habitat of local wildlife. Additionally, cities like Iowa City have been focusing on rain gardens and green roofs as solutions to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
St Louis is also looking towards green solutions, with policies such as its Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan and its Green Stormwater Infrastructure Program. These initiatives aim to clean up the water quality of the Mississippi, while protecting the environment and improving the habitat of local wildlife. Similarly, Hannibal is focusing on conservation and sustainability, with initiatives like its Riverfront Improvement Plan and its Green Streets Program.
Conclusion
The cities mentioned here, and many others around the world, rely heavily on the Mississippi River for their water supply. However, it is important for these cities to take steps towards protecting their river and ensuring that it is clean and freshly-flowing for years to come. While the cities are already doing their part by instituting sustainable practices, there is still more that can be done to protect our most important natural resource.
