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

The Issues and Challenges of Reducing Non-Revenue Water

Published: 
January 1, 2010
Alliance for Water Efficiency
One of the major challenges facing water utilities is the high level of water loss in distribution networks. If a large proportion of water that is supplied is lost, meeting consumer demands is much more difficult. Since this water yields no revenue, heavy losses also make it harder to keep water...Read more

Water Loss Control, Second Edition

Published: 
June 1, 2008
Alliance for Water Efficiency
This comprehensive guide takes you step by step through every stage of the development of a water loss control program--from measuring and auditing water loss, tracking losses to their root cause, to developing a loss control program for future efficiency. Inside, you'll find precise...Read more

Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water

National Water Research Institute
As part of its commitment to serve the water education needs of Arizona citizens, the Water Resources Research Center teamed up with the Water Education Foundation to produce the Layperson's Guide to Arizona Water. The publication meets a longstanding need: it offers in a single, reader-...Read more

Water Conservation Banking: Municipal Water Conservation to Support Environmental Enhancement

National Water Research Institute
In the Southwest United States attempts to improve the health and habitat value of riparian areas have focused on environmental restoration and preservation activities. In this predominantly arid region, many environmental enhancement activities require supplemental irrigation water. Identifying...Read more

Arizona Conserve Water Educators' Guide

National Water Research Institute
Arizona Conserve Water is a publication dedicated to the premise that it is never too early to learn to conserve water. The K-12 educators' guide is a tool to help Arizona teachers develop among their students a knowledge and respect for water in their semi-arid home state.Read more

Good Intentions, Unintended Consequences: the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District

National Water Research Institute
In the late 1940s, the Arizona Legislature authorized the State Land Commission to designate "critical groundwater areas."' In 1973, the legislature began to require developers of land to prove that they had an "adequate" water supply.' However, failure to demonstrate...Read more

The Importance of Water Storage and Recovery in Arizona

National Water Research Institute
An overview of water recharge and recovery in Arizona. This article details the mechanisms for storage, the organizations involved and its importance for Arizona's water supply.'.Read more

Optimum Control of Irrigation Water Application

U.S. Agency for International Development
The problem of controlling soil water within the root zone of irrigated crops to minimize the expected loss is examined. Control is obtained by the amount and timing of irrigations to replenish the soil water reservoir depleted by the crop's water consumption. Actual evapotranspiration rates...Read more

Laundromats and Common Area Laundry Facilities Water Savings Tips

Alliance for Water Efficiency
This page provides information and water saving tips on coin operated laundromats, common area clothes washers, and multi-load washer replacements.Read more

Non-Residential Fixtures, Appliances and Equipment

Alliance for Water Efficiency
This page offers information on non-residential fixtures, appliances, and equipment as well as links to the latest research and information about this important end user category.Read more

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