Part of the Historical Essay Series, this essay describes the importance of water to human civilization, both modern and historic, and the need for clean, filtered water. The essay specifically focuses on the town of Marshall, Minnesota, and its difficulty in obtaining clean water and limiting its use among important, industrious corporations.

The Historical Essay Series is edited by Dr. Joseph Amato, former director of Rural Studies, with the assistance of Donata DeBruyckere, Janice Louwagie, and Dr. Thaddeus Radzilowski. It is published by the Southwest Minnesota State University History Department, the History Club, the History Center, and the Rural Studies program. It is partially sponsored and distributed by the Society for the Study of Local and Regional History. Assisting with the publication are Southwest Minnesota State University Word Processing Center and Duplicating Services. Additional thanks for supporting go to the State University Q7 Initiative Fund.