Water Supply and Scarcity
According to the United Nations, water scarcity is defined as the point at which the aggregate impact of all users impinges on the supply or quality of water. Water scarcity is a relative concept and can occur at any level of supply or demand. Scarcity may be socially-constructed or the consequence of altered supply patterns stemming from climate change. Resources available in this sub-theme include U.S. drought monitoring data, workshops for rural water supply systems, among other resources that support water supply and scarcity.
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Water Supply and Scarcity Resources
Fountains--Water Wasters or Works of Art?
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Those of us conditioned by the ubiquitous precepts of water conservation may feel slightly squeamish about water fountains. We have been taught that not all water uses are equal, some are of more value than others. Drinking obviously is an essential water use but washing sidewalks and driveways is...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWeather Modification: a Water Resource Strategy to Be Researched, Tested Before Tried
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Weather modification has a rather unique status among water resource issues. Along with attracting attention as a potential water supply source, weather modification is of interest because of its varied and changing status in the scientific and public policy communities; it has an aura of...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaThe Understanding Water Supply: General Considerations
U.S. Agency for International Development
This paper is one of a series published by Volunteers in Technical Assistance to provide an introduction to specific state-of-the-art technologies of interest to people in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide basic information and data for those individuals responsible for...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaHow Water Management in Tucson, Arizona Has Affected the Desert's Landscape
Published:
October 18, 2014The National Institutes for Water Resources
Tuscan, Arizona has relied heavily on groundwater to supply its water needs. Over time, the pumping associated with residential, agricultural and industrial water use has outstripped nature's ability to replenish the underground aquifers. To reduce the overdraft of groundwater in the Tuscan...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWhy the Groundwater Management Act?
Published:
October 18, 2014The National Institutes for Water Resources
Groundwater is being pumped from aquifers faster than it is able to be naturally replenished. The Groundwater Management Act (GMA) was established by the Arizona State legislature to regulate groundwater use and determine a safe yield goal for recharge of water and recovery.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaArizona Rural Water Issues Attracting Attention: What Is Best Plan for Managing Non-Active Management Areas?
Published:
March 18, 2014The National Institutes for Water Resources
Water management involves more than just the hydrological process. Successful water management should reflect the physical, social and cultural characteristics unique to the area. In Arizona, urban water affairs are recognized as a priority, however rural regions are often overlooked, which has...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater Loss Control: Efficiency in the Water Utility Sector
Alliance for Water Efficiency
With water resources increasingly stressed due to climate change and growing populations, water utilities must become water-efficient throughout the entire supply process. By employing improved methods of water auditing and loss control, water utilities have potential to reduce the large volumes of...Read more
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United StatesCalifornia's Water Footprint
Pacific Institute
This report analyzes the state's water footprint, that is the amount of water required to produce the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the beverages we drink, and the other goods on which we rely. Read more
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United StatesWater Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands
Published:
September 1, 2012U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. agriculture accounts for 80-90 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use (water lost to the environment by evaporation, crop transpiration, or incorporation into products). Despite technological innovations, at least half of U.S. irrigated cropland acreage is still irrigated with less...Read more
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United StatesAgricultural Water Security Listening Session -Final Report
Published:
September 10, 2004U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural water security is described as the need to maintain adequate water supplies to meet the food and fiber needs of the expanding population maximizing the efficiency of water use by farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This literature reports on best practices for stakeholder...Read more
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