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

Building Local Well Drilling Capacity in Senegal

Published: 
August 1, 2013
Relief InternationalU.S. Agency for International Development
An overview of various well drilling technologies and their costs, this document also provides a case for the adoption of manually drilling wells where appropriate. Manually drilling wells, when professionalized, can be completed at the same level of quality as mechanized rigs but at 1/4 of the...Read more
Regional focus: 
SenegalSub-Saharan Africa

Crop Water Requirement and Agricultural Drought Assessment Manual

Published: 
February 1, 1986
U.S. Agency for International Development
Manuel on crop water requirement and agricultural drought. Drought and disaster have been fairly common throughout recorded history. In several developing countries, population growth exceeds growth in agricultural production. Attempts to increase production or efforts for survival sometimes result...Read more

Egypt Water Use and Management Project; Mid-Project Report, Vol. V, Appendix D, Training Manual

Published: 
September 1, 1980
U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentColorado State University
This training manual and the accompanying training program is central to the purpose of the Egyptian Water Use Project (EWUP). Training skilled personnel in Water Management is essential to the achievement of the project goals and objectives, which include: developing improved irrigation water...Read more
Regional focus: 
Egypt, Arab Rep.Middle East and North Africa

Egypt Water Use and Management Project; Mid-Project Report, Vol. Vi, Appendix E, Training: How to Do It Series

Published: 
September 1, 1980
U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentColorado State University
Volume I of the Problem Identification Training Manual consists of a number of short, technical "How-To-Do-It" articles. The purpose of these articles is to provide specific instructions on how to carry out the tasks of problem identification. The How-To-Do-It series is merely a...Read more
Regional focus: 
Egypt, Arab Rep.Middle East and North Africa

The USAID Desalination Manual

Published: 
August 1, 1980
U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentCH2M HILL
As the world's population has grown, demand for fresh water has dramatically increased, straining available supplies and impeding development. Desalination, the removal of salts from water, offers an increasingly feasible and necessary solution to this problem. This manual outlines major...Read more

Manual on Water Desalination: Technology - Suppl. No. 1

Published: 
October 1, 1972
U.S. Agency for International Development
THIS SUPPLEMENT PRESENTS NEW REFINEMENTS AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF DESALINATION PROCESSES COVERED IN VOLUME 1 OF THE DESALINATION MANUAL. IT UPDATES TECHNICAL GUIDES, DESCRIBES TYPICAL PLANTS BUILT SINCE 1967, AND PROVIDES A SECTION OF CONCEPTUAL PLANT DESIGNS. THIS DOCUMENT REQUIRES REFERENCE...Read more

Manual on Water Desalination: Economics - Suppl. No. 1

Published: 
October 1, 1972
U.S. Agency for International Development
THIS SUPPLEMENT TO VOLUME II (ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF DESALINATION) OF THE DESALINATION MANUAL UPDATES THE MATERIAL OF THAT VOLUME AND REQUIRES REFERENCE TO IT TO BE OF USE. IT PROVIDES NEW GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ADVANCEMENTS IN DESALTING TECHNOLOGY (ESPECIALLY REVERSE OSMOSIS...Read more

Manual on Water Desalination: Economics, Appendices

Published: 
April 1, 1967
U.S. Agency for International Development
THIS APPENDIX TO VOLUMES I AND II OF THE MANUAL LISTS EXISTING DESALINATION PLANTS, TECHNICAL DATA ON PROPERTIES OF SEAWATER AND BRACKISH WATER, AND OUTLINES SAMPLE SURVEY QUESTIONNARIES FOR BOTH TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY STUDIES. IT INCLUDES ESTIMATING AIDS AND NOMOGRAPHS FOR DETERMINING...Read more

Manual on Water Desalination: Technology, Chaps. 5-7

Published: 
April 1, 1967
U.S. Agency for International Development
PART TWO OF VOLUME 1 (WHICH COVERS DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY) DESCRIBES TYPICAL DESALINATION PLANTS USING DISTILLATION, FREEZING, VACUUM FREEZING, AND MEMBRANE OSMOSIS PROCESSES. IT DISCUSSES THE FEASIBILITY OF COMBINING DESALINATION PLANTS WITH ELECTRIC POWER OR OF COMBINING DESALINATION WITH THE...Read more

Manual on Water Desalination: Economics, Chaps. 8-11

Published: 
April 1, 1967
U.S. Agency for International Development
VOLUME 2 OF THIS DESALINATION MANUAL CONCERNS THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF DESALINATION PROJECTS. IT PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR THE INITIATION OF A PROGRAM FOR DEFINING AND SOLVING THE WATER SHORTAGE PROBLEMS OF A PARTICULAR REGION OR NATION. THIS VOLUME TELLS HOW TO DRAW UP A WATER DEVELOPMENT PLAN,...Read more

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