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
Securing Water for Environmental Purposes: Establishing Pilot Programs
Published:
June 30, 2009The National Institutes for Water Resources
This paper explores implementation of programs to provide water for the environment, such as check box donation programs and Conserve to Enhance, a mechanism using voluntary municipal water conservation.Read more
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United States, North AmericaUnderstanding the Complex Impacts of Drought: a Key to Enhancing Drought Mitigation and Preparedness
Published:
January 11, 2007National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A Journal of Water Resources Management article on drought by DWFI Faculty Fellows Don Wilhite, Mark Svoboda and Michael Hayes.Read more
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United States, North AmericaWater Management Research in Arid and Sub-Humid Lands of Less Developed Countries, Annual Report, 1975/1976; Executive Summary
Published:
January 1, 1976U.S. Agency for International Development, Colorado State University
Inadequate water is the primary constraint of agricultural production in a large portion of the developing countries. The technology for using available water supplies most efficiently is either lacking or not adapted to the available resources, in many of these countries.Read more
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United States, North AmericaOptimum Utilization of Water for Agriculture, With Emphasis on On-Farm Water Management; Annual Technical Report, 1974/1975
Published:
January 1, 1975U.S. Agency for International Development
The report details findings on optimum utilization of water for agriculture, finding evidence that in developing countries there is an urgent need for more food and better nutrition. Food production is closely linked to the water available for transpiration by the growing crop and the water...Read more
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United States, North AmericaForecasting Water Use in U.S. Irrigated Agriculture With Different Alternative Futures
Published:
February 1, 1974U.S. Agency for International Development
The results of the forecasting effort of the National Water Commission show both how (a) the economic demands for water in irrigated agriculture can be estimated and (b) how water use will be affected by policy decisions and the life styles of U.S. citizens. The importance of varying certain...Read more
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United States, North AmericaFountains--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 States, North 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 States, North 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 States, North 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 States, North 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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