The Environmental Protection Agency’s role is to protect the environment from damage that can result from human activity.

It clearly fails in its mission to do so when it comes to the tanks at Red Hill, especially since we already had numerous serious leaks. The question is not if but when these tanks will fail.

Once 400,000 residents lose access to fresh water due to a major failure, I cannot imagine the outrage and anger at the short- sightedness, ignorance and irresponsibility of our government and elected officials. To not spend the required amount of money to fix this right and do it quickly could cost the state dearly by destroying tourism on Oahu and leaving 400,000 residents scrambling to find clean water.

Before it happens, please show us the backup plan for how these 400,000 residents will get their fresh, clean water. Mother Earth can live without humans, but humans cannot live without Mother Earth.

Angelika Burgermeister

Haleiwa

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.