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, 2009
The 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
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Kenya - Complex Emergency: Fact Sheet #18, Fiscal Year (FY) 2008

Published: 
September 17, 2008
U.S. Agency for International Development
According to the Kenya Long Rains Assessment report, overall annual crop production in 2008 declined 9% compared to 2007 and 12% compared to five-year average. As a result of crop shortfall, high commodity prices, post-election violence, livestock diseases, water shortages, and associated conflict...Read more
Regional focus: 
KenyaSub-Saharan Africa

Somalia - Complex Emergency: Situation Report #8, Fiscal Year (FY) 2008

Published: 
August 13, 2008
U.S. Agency for International Development
2.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Combined effects of consecutive seasons of failed or poor rainfall, continuing conflict, rising inflation, massive displacement, and diarrheal disease outbreaks have severely exacerbated food security situation and resulted in an increase...Read more
Regional focus: 
SomaliaSub-Saharan Africa

Somalia - Complex Emergency: Situation Report #7, Fiscal Year (FY) 2008

Published: 
July 16, 2008
U.S. Agency for International Development
2.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Combined effects of consecutive seasons of failed or poor rainfall, continuing conflict, rising inflation, massive displacement, and diarrheal disease outbreaks have severely exacerbated food security situation and resulted in an increase...Read more
Regional focus: 
SomaliaSub-Saharan Africa

Somalia - Complex Emergency: Situation Report #6, Fiscal Year (FY) 2008

Published: 
June 18, 2008
U.S. Agency for International Development
2.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Combined effects of consecutive seasons of failed or poor rainfall, continuing conflict, rising inflation, massive displacement, and diarrheal disease outbreaks have severely exacerbated food security situation and resulted in an increase...Read more
Regional focus: 
SomaliaSub-Saharan Africa

Well Owners' Guide to Ground Water Resources in Yavapai County

Published: 
March 1, 2008
National Water Research Institute
An overview of the use of ground water in Yavapai County, Arizona, which includes specific goals for using water in an arid climate.Read more

Understanding the Complex Impacts of Drought: a Key to Enhancing Drought Mitigation and Preparedness

Published: 
January 11, 2007
National 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
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

Final Report Covering Period 11/95-12/00: Development of a Geographic Information System for Assessment of Suitable Areas for Runoff Irrigation

Published: 
May 1, 2001
U.S. Agency for International Development
In arid regions like the experimental basin of the Sanzar river in Uzbekistan the agricultural activity is restricted by the small amount of river water. At the same time there are sufficient rain water resources during spring which can be harvested, stored in soil and used by plants during the dry...Read more
Regional focus: 
UzbekistanEurope and Central Asia

Charging for Irrigation Water: The Issues and Options, With a Case Study From Iran

Published: 
January 1, 2001
U.S. Agency for International Development
Inadequate funding for maintenance of irrigation works and emerging shortages of water are prevalent problems. to combat them, the use of water charges to generate resources for maintenance and to reduce demand is widely advocated. Examples from other utilities and from the domestic/industrial...Read more
Regional focus: 
IranMiddle East and North Africa

Predicting Water Availability in Irrigation Tank Cascade Systems: The Cascade Water Balance Model

Published: 
January 1, 2001
U.S. Agency for International Development
This report presents "Cascade", a water balance model that can predict tank water availability in the Thirappane tank cascade system in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The model determines tank water availability on a daily basis for the purpose of improving productive use of the water...Read more
Regional focus: 
Sri LankaSouth East Asia

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