Precious water

The water understands civilization well,
It wets my foot, but prettily.
It chills my life, but wittily,
It is not disconcerted
It is not broken-hearted.

Well used, it decketh joy,
Adorneth, doubleth joy:
Ill used, it will destroy,
In perfect time and measure
With a face of golden pleasure
Elegantly destroy.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is our town's water tank, built by American Engineers in 1932, before the onset of WWII. It is still in commission and provides daily sustenance to part of the city's growing population. It towers the landscape by 26.40meters (86.59ft) and has a capacity of 380cu.m. (100,320gals).

I heard on the news yesterday that the water level of one of our major dams was getting critically low.

Precious water, one of life's elements, in serious jeopardy.