By Cindy Lowry

Last month's water headlines should be a wake up call for every person in Alabama. Our most precious natural resource -- water -- is running dry. Nothing else on Earth is as essential to every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the products we make, to our very bodies.

Most Alabamians take the water that comes out of the tap for granted. However, last month the state agriculture commissioner asked the federal government to declare a drought emergency in our state. That same week, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that thirsty Metro Atlanta can use Lake Lanier as a water supply, which could leave less water downstream for Alabama and Florida.

Alabama is the only state in the tri-state water conflict that does not have a comprehensive water management plan, leaving us in the weakest position for negotiating the water needs of people, businesses, communities, and ecosystems.

The recent court ruling shows that Alabama can no longer rely on litigation to try to keep our waters flowing. It is time for Alabama to take a more serious look at how we are managing this vital resource in our state.

The Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Southern Environmental Law Center have just released an updated Alabama Water Agenda. It provides a framework for developing a balanced approach to clean, sustainable water resources that will allow communities and businesses to thrive.

It calls on the state to take action to solve systemic problems facing Alabama's water resources, such as the lack of a statewide water management policy. The Alabama Rivers Alliance and Southern Environmental Law Center, along with their many partner organizations across the state, stand ready to assist the governor, the Legislature and other leaders in formulating such a plan.

Alabama shares most of its major rivers with other states, so the future sustainability of its water resources depends on a healthy balance between the states' competing water uses within the shared water systems as well as within our own boundaries.

Last week's court ruling highlights the fact that Alabama must engage in meaningful planning for long-term sustainability by being as efficient as possible in our water use as well as aggressively developing our own state water planning and management policies.

The current severe drought in southeast Alabama is a stark example of how important preparation and planning are for managing our water assets. All Alabamians must realize that this life-sustaining resource can no longer be taken for granted. The state has no plan for managing our water use and water supplies.

We manage our budgets, our offices, our households, but we have nothing in place to manage our water. Statewide water management is essential for all Alabamians, but it will only happen with significant public support and strong leadership from our elected officials.

Cindy Lowry is executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance.