The issues are still present today because of many reasons. We do not want to change our habits, our lifestyles, or our values. Political and economic self-interest become tools used to avoid environmental responsibility.
Solutions are still a matter of cost-benefit analysis.
In the play, the Mayor originally approved the design to install the water system. The design disregarded the problem of the direction of ground-water flow. The town did not want to spend the money to re-design the intake piping. The cost could have been recouped by the stream of tourists. Answers will be solicited from panelists representing academia, industry, government, citizen's groups, and the general audience.