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

MUS Factsheet

iDE
The MUS factsheet gives an overview of Multiple Use Services in Nepal. It provides an outline of the MUS approach, MUS configurations, impacts and challenges in the planning and implementation of MUS.Read more
Regional focus: 
South East Asia

MUS Video (Gravity MUS)

iDE
This Gravity MUS video is about the MUS programs that were designed and implemented by iDE in different districts in Nepal. Video production credited to Bimala Rai Colavito (a volunteer at iDE).Read more
Regional focus: 
South East Asia

Facts & Figures about Lake Tanganyika

Published: 
September 1, 2014
Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic
Lake Tanganyika is one of the most geopolitically significant places you have never heard of. Learn more about the second largest body of fresh water in the world and its global strategic importance.Read more
Regional focus: 
Sub-Saharan AfricaCongo, Democratic Republic of theTanzania

The Role of Conservation Programs in Drought Risk Adaptation

Published: 
April 1, 2013
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report evaluates the extent to which farms facing higher levels of drought risk are more likely to participate in conservation programs, and finds a strong link between drought risk and program participation. Conservation program outcomes are influenced by regional differences in production...Read more

Water Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands

Published: 
September 1, 2012
U.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
Regional focus: 
United States

Agricultural Water Security Listening Session -Final Report

Published: 
September 10, 2004
U.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
Regional focus: 
United States

Conservation Practices that Save: Irrigation Water Management

Published: 
May 1, 2006
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural water supply is emerging as a critical natural resource issue. Irrigated agriculture is essential in meeting our food and fiber production needs. Irrigation water management encourages the application of water in an amount that meets the need of the growing plant in a manner that...Read more

The Role of Conservation Program Design in Drought Risk Adaptation

Published: 
July 1, 2013
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Drought-risk adaptation involves farmers taking actions or making investments that reduce their vulnerability to drought. These actions and investments will generally be of greater benefit to farmers in areas that face a higher risk of drought during the growing season. As a result, other things...Read more

Estimating Water Quality Benefits: Theoretical and Methodological Issues

Published: 
September 1, 1992
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Knowledge of the benefits and costs to water users is required for a complete assessment of policies to create incentives for water quality improving changes in agricultural production. A number of benefit estimation methods are required to handle the varying nature of water quality effects. This...Read more

Water Quality Benefits from the Conservation Reserve Program

Published: 
February 1, 1989
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Conservation Reserve Program may generate an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion in water quality benefits. Potential benefits include lower water treatment costs, lower sediment removal costs, less flood damage, less damage to equipment which uses water, and increased recreational fishing. Benefits...Read more

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