What about a National Drought & Flood Relief pipeline network covering most of the U.S.A. ? If we have such a system for things like natural gas why couldn't we build one for the most essential resource of ALL - WATER? The functions of this pipeline network would be two-fold.
First the pipeline network would be used to bring water FROM flooded regions where there is excessive quantities of water and pump it TO drought stricken regions where water is in very short supply!
The water from floods would be pumped from flood plains and swollen rivers in bulk and then routed through filtering stations along the way or at the points of delivery to remove toxins & pollutants to ensure water is of safe drinking quality.
The exit points would be at the nearest local municipal water treatment or reservoir stations much as natural gas goes directly to tank farms or gas suppliers. Construction of such a vast project would require major Federal funding & management but would likely pay back the treasury in the form of rescuing entire regions from natural, economic disasters which also regularly require huge Federal & state disaster relief expenditures and often take years to achieve full economic recovery.
As world climatic change accelerates extreme storms are also increasing in frequency & intensity thus demanding an intelligent, long term, proactive response such as a National Flood & Drought Mitigation Pipeline network might provide to the entire United States!
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