The algal blooms around Toledo and the subsequent loss of safe water from the tap was an interesting wake-up call for many. As we wonder about the causes of this event, we must look in part to ourselves as contributors to the problem.

And of course, as we look at Fort Wayne, we should see that we are only part of our own problem. A lot of the water quality issues we face are the result of sewer overflows from other communities and agricultural runoff from fields and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) up the St. Mary’s and St. Joseph Rivers. As we get our act together, we can more reasonably encourage the same from other communities and their members as well.

We are all downstream from environmental challenges. If we keep that in mind, maybe we can avoid the temptation to just let it be someone else’s problem.