To the Editor:

We have just come through one of the coldest winters since 1960. We have also had the most snow since then. As a matter of fact I cant remember in my life time that snow has stayed on the ground here in Polk County for that long.

But that is not necessarily what this article is about. It is about water.

A friend of mine, knowing my interest in water, called me the other day and suggested I&bsp; read an article in the March 10th Spartanburg Herald Journal.&bsp; Being a friend that I take serious, I bought me a copy and find the article he was referring to.

The article was written by Sue G. Schneider the general manager of Spartanburg Water. It is a positive article in that she states that the Spartanburg Region is in a good position due to the fact that Spartanburg Water had made proper long-range planning and investment in water resources and manufacturing and this was against the backdrop of recent concern across the Southeast about sufficient water supplies. (By-the-way, just as a reminder, everyone was looking for a supply, even as far away as Atlanta, which was rumored to be looking to the mountains of N.C.)

What has all this to do with Polk County? After all we have just been blessed with a year of rain and snow. However, that was after four to five years of drought conditions with wells going dry and much concern for a water supply. With all this rain and snow we can finally relax.&bsp; Wrong! For one thing, everything goes in cycles and that means the drought will return. Secondly, we are blessed to have the Green River flowing through Polk County. &bsp;

Im sure most of you are aware that the Green River flows into Broad River and eventually into Spartanburg County, which means that there will come a time when they will be more than happy to tie up this source for their water supply.

Alas! It would behoove the leaders of Columbus, Saluda, Tryon and Polk County to not let their guard down, but follow Spartanburg Waters example of long-range planning and investment in water resources and faculties to produce same.

Ted Owens