What Possibilities Does The Hudson River Hold?

 As I learn more about the natural environment surrounding me and the ways in which people contribute to this environment, be it good or bad, I am just beginning to understand the social, political and physical importance of water. Although it may not seem that important at first glance, waste water management has a huge, if not the biggest, impact on the environment. When we flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, do laundry or take a shower, all of that water ends up in the waste water facility. How is this water treated? What happens after the water is treated? Where does it go afterward? What effects does this water have on the environment? These are all questions with answers. But the question I would like answered is, what could the Hudson River look like? What kinds of ecologies might exist if millions of gallons of treated waste water didn't flow into it? Perhaps the bay would be full of oysters, like so many environmentalists dream of. Maybe the population of fish would triple and the Hudson's fishermen could once again make a living off of the river. There are any number of possibilities.

Further more, what alternate modes of waste water disposal could we use-- not only so that ecosystems are not compromised but, in ways that may also enrich our lives?

Water has the power to determine human abilities.Through feats of engineering humans have been able to harness the natural resources to their benefit. We have seen this in the construction of the Croton Aqueduct, who's water allowed Manhattan to expand. Now, it is becoming increasingly obvious that humans can limit the abilities of the natural environment.