Defend both sides of the statement Find evidence and example

Defend both sides of the statement. Find evidence and examples to support both.

For public water supplies, high quality freshwater should (should not) be assigned a high monetary value (eg. 3 cents/gallon).

Solution

Answer:

High quality freshwater should be assigned a high monetary value:

Freshwater should be highly valued and appropriate supply should be based against suitable monetary payments. This can be explained on the basis of the following examples:

1. Treating and reviving contaminated water:

For example, a freshwater lake have been contaminated with chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls. A monetary investment is required to revive the quality of the water and make it safe for drinking and other household purposes such that the people enjoy the same level of satisfaction. This brings in the requirement of monetary costs against the supply of uncontaminated fresh water to the community.

2. Appropriate centralised water storage and supply of freshwater:

Adequate monetary investment is required for centralized storage of water in water tanks after appropriate treatment of the same. Moreover, the centrally stored water requires appropriate engineering of pipelines to provide a hasslefree supply of freshwater to the community. Thus, freshwater supply can be regarded as a marketing commodity which neccessitates the imposition of suitable cost.

High quality freshwater should not be assigned a high monetary value:

The following points focuses on examples as to why freashwater should not be assigned high monetary value.

1. Gift of nature:

Freshwater is essential for human well-being and is a gift of nature. These natural resources should not come under the aegis of economics.

2. Poor financial conditions:

In developing countries, more than 70% of the populations live in rural areas with poor financial conditions and infrastructure. It becomes an utmost necessity for the government in such cases to provide freshwater supply to these communities at no cost.