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

Water Use and Pricing in Agriculture

Published: 
July 1, 2006
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Irrigated agriculture remains the dominant use of freshwater in the United States, although the share of water consumed by irrigation is declining. National irrigated cropland area has expanded by one-third since 1969, while irrigation water application rates have declined by about 15 percent...Read more

Irrigation Water Management

Published: 
July 1, 2006
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Water management is an important element of irrigated crop production. Efficient irrigation systems and water management practices can help maintain farm profitability in an era of limited, higher cost water supplies. Efficient water management may also reduce the impact of irrigated production on...Read more

Irrigation and Water Use - Briefing Room

Published: 
November 22, 2004
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agriculture is a major user of ground and surface water in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use and over 90 percent in many Western States. This ERS research program investigates water allocation, water conservation, and water management issues...Read more

Stream Visual Assessment Protocol: Procedure to Evaluate the Condition of a Stream Based on Visual Characteristics

Published: 
December 1, 1998
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This assessment protocol provides a basic level of stream health evaluation. It can be successfully applied by conservationists with little biological or hydrological training. It is intended to be conducted with the landowner and incorporates talking points for the conservationist to use during...Read more

Water Loss Control Efficiency in the Water Utility Sector

Alliance for Water Efficiency
With water resources increasingly stressed due to climate change and growing populations, water utilities must become water-efficient throughout the entire supply process. By employing improved methods of water auditing and loss control, water utilities have potential to reduce the large volumes of...Read more
Regional focus: 
Global

Making Groundwater Sustainable

National Groundwater Association
?This NGWA-sponsored workshop will examine how to develop and use groundwater in a sustainable manner to meet the nation’s pressing needs for food and energy while maintaining a healthy environment.Read more

Managing a Flowing Water Well (2-20-2010; references updated 9-16-2010)

Published: 
January 1, 1970
National Groundwater Association
The BSP for managing a flowing well contains information on the following: -Why some wells flow and resulting implications -Unexpected artesian flowing well conditions -Identifying artesian flowing well conditions -Construction in areas of artesian flow -Construction in a confined aquifer -...Read more

Groundwater Handbook

Published: 
January 1, 1970
National Groundwater Association
This book features 12 chapters on information covering common topics such as drilling, pipe and casing, hydraulics of water data, well design, irrigation, water quality, hydrogeology, and groundwater flow.Read more

Aqueduct

World Resources Institute
Aqueduct is a global water risk mapping tool helps companies, investors, governments, and other users understand where and how water risks and opportunities are emerging worldwide. Read more

Flowing Forward

Published: 
January 1, 1970
World Wildlife Fund
Written by WWF and commissioned by the World Bank, Flowing Forward develops guiding principles, processes, and methodologies for incorporating climate change adaptation for water sector projects with a particular emphasis on impacts on ecosystems. Read more

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