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.

Water Supply and Scarcity Resources

Grey Water Reuse for Agricultural Purposes in the Jordan Valley

Publication date:
August 6, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Installation of decentralized grey water treatment systems in small rural communities contributes to a more sustainable water supply. In order to gauge community attitudes about collection and use of grey water, a door-to-door survey in the farming community of Deir Alla, Jordan was conducted by...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Jordan
Middle East and North Africa

Arizona Environmental Flows and Water Demand Bulletin: Colorado River Region

Publication date:
August 3, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
This bulletin provides a concise introduction to the current knowledge about environmental water demands in the Colorado River Region. It outlines gaps in the understanding of environmental demands and illustrates how environmental demands can be considered in the context of other regional water...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Latin America and the Caribbean

Arizona Environmental Flows and Water Demand Bulletin: Central Arizona Region

Publication date:
August 3, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
This bulletin provides a concise introduction to the current knowledge about environmental water demands in the Central Arizona Region. It outlines gaps in the understanding of environmental demands and illustrates how environmental demands can be considered in the context of other regional water...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Latin America and the Caribbean

Environmental Flow and Water Demands: Southeastern Arizona

Publication date:
August 3, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
This bulletin provides a concise introduction to the current knowledge about environmental water demands in the Southeastern Arizona Region. It outlines gaps in the understanding of environmental demands and illustrates how environmental demands can be considered in the context of other regional...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Latin America and the Caribbean

Southwest Climate Assessment

Publication date:
June 1, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Natural climate variability is a prominent factor that affects many aspects of life, livelihoods, landscapes, and decision-making across the Southwestern U.S. (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah; included are the adjacent United States-Mexico border and Southwest Native...Read more

Water Recycling FAQs

Publication date:
May 1, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Increasing demands on limited water resources have made wastewater recycling (reclamation or reuse) an attractive option for extending water supplies. Treatment technologies have evolved such that recycled water is of sufficient quality to satisfy most non-potable demands, and as such, recycled...Read more

Arroyo 2012 Border Water Source of Conflict and Cooperation

Publication date:
January 1, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
The U.S-Mexico border is not only where two countries meet, but where different cultures face a common need for effective and sustainable use of the available resources. The management of resources and environmental hazards in this region is challenging. Agencies from both countries are addressing...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Latin America and the Caribbean

Moving Forward from Vulnerability to Adaptation

Publication date:
January 1, 2012
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Tucson is located in the semi-arid northern reaches of the Sonoran Desert in southeastern Arizona, with mountains on each side - the Santa Catalinas to the north, the Rincons to the east, the Tucson Mountains to the west, and the Santa Ritas to the south. Most of the population of the greater...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Latin America and the Caribbean

A Market-Based Approach to Facilitate Self Supply for Rainwater Harvesting in Uganda

Publication date:
January 1, 2011
Relief International
This Technical Paper was submitted, accepted and presented at the 6th Rural Water Supply Network Forum in Uganda. While it is technical in nature, it provides a lot of information about the Domestic Rainwater Harvesting (DWRH) project that RI implemented in Uganda where RI leveraged a private...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Uganda
Sub-Saharan Africa

USAID Country Profile: Property Rights and Resource Governance: Afghanistan

Publication date:
August 26, 2010
U.S. Agency for International Development
Decades of conflict, population displacement within and outside of Afghanistan, changes in national political and economic ideologies, and variable climatic conditions (including drought) have resulted in a complex and unsettled land- ownership and management situation. Land rights are perceived to...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Afghanistan
South East Asia

Don't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.