What One Water Is and Why Is So Important To Understand It

By Jerry Cordova, HECHO Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member.

One Water means everything that is water. It's not just treated drinking water and the raw water we see. It's not just the quantity or quality of water. Understanding this term is important because it's all related, whether we're talking about groundwater or surface water.

When we look at the One Water concept, we have to consider the quantity of water—from drinking water to managing floodwaters—and the quality of the water—how polluted is it? Is it polluted by a natural substance, like sediment, or something else?

Approaching the talk of water as One Water will benefit us all.

For instance, the Colorado River is impacted by climate change effects like drought and rising temperatures across the earth. This One Water concept means that this issue impacts everything: drinking water, agriculture, recreation, and other uses.

Decisions made at the federal level have a trickle-down effect—whether it is the Clean Water Act, watershed management, or navigable areas—to state laws, all the way down to municipalities and local governments.

Whether sediment, windblown trash, or other chemicals in the water, wetlands act as a natural filtration system through multiple species and different vegetation to help protect and improve the water quality. That’s why protecting wetlands is vital.

While decisions made by the government at the federal, state, or local levels impact our water, it is also important to know that we all can make a difference to make our planet and water cleaner and healthier for present and future generations.

Colorado is a headwater state. When the snow melts in the Rocky Mountains, we, Coloradans, are the first ones to use that water. But between us, in Colorado, and the Gulf of Mexico, there are over 200 cities that come in contact with that water and use it for drinking, recreation, and agriculture, too! It is our duty to be good land stewards and take care of our land and water so others can enjoy and use it.

About 40% of our oceans are covered by plastic. Unfortunately, there are garbage patches and dead zones in the oceans. Whatever's on the land ends up in the water!

While we may live thousands of miles away from the ocean, if we litter, if there is windblown trash, or if there are pollutants in our water on land, those are ultimately going to the ocean. So, we are directly connected from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.

Little choices make a big difference. If we recycle, dispose of the trash properly, and pick up litter in our neighborhoods, parks, trails, and open spaces, we can prevent that litter from ending up in the water, which helps everyone and everything.

We must do our part to protect our beautiful outdoor spaces and natural resources for future generations.