Water Resources

Over 7 billion people demand water from resources that the changing climate is making more and more difficult to harness. Water scarcity and shortage are increasingly common and conditions are becoming more extreme. Inadequate and inappropriate management of water is already taking its toll on the environment and on the quality of life of millions of people. Modern water professionals have a duty to develop sound water science and robust evidence to lobby and influence national and regional development policy and investment priorities. We need to be bold and brave to challenge the status quo, argue the case for change, and create a New Water Architecture. Water Resources: A New Water Architecture takes a unique approach to the challenges of water management. The stress caused by our desire to live, eat, and consume is examined in the context of Governance, the role of policy, and the commercial world. The authors share their nine-step vision for a New Water Architecture. Written by three industry practitioners, this book provides students, young professionals, policymakers, and those interested in the sustainability of our natural resources with a pragmatic and compelling perspective on how to manage the ultimate resource of our time.

Auteur

The Authors

Alexander Lane specialises in the development of water strategy and planning that acknowledges the interrelationships between water, other natural resources and human interests. As a consultant in the UK and Australia, Alex has advised a diverse range of public bodies and global companies on the preparation and implementation of robust and sustainable approaches to the management of water that deliver not just immediate gains, but also long-term and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Michael Norton is an expert in water engineering and management, has contributed to
over 100 studies and projects in 20 countries, and was awarded an MBE for his outstanding services to water and international trade. With experience in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Michael's technical interests include water security, water footprint,
sustainable wastewater treatment, urban drainage and the water-food-energy system. He now
provides consultancy to private sector, public sector, government and non-government organisations on a regional, national and international scale.

Sandra Ryan specialises in strategic water resource planning, focusing on finding traditional and alternative solutions in situations where demand for water exceeds the resource available for supply. With a career background in water utility based water resource planning and regulation in the UK, Sandra is transferring these technical principles to clients in the industrial and commercial sectors battling water risks, and national and local governments seeking to build resilience.

Texte du rabat

Over 7 billion people demand water from the resources that the changing climate is making more and more difficult to harness. Water scarcity and shortage are increasingly common and conditions are becoming more extreme. Inadequate and inappropriate management of water is already taking its toll on the environment and on the quality of life of millions of people. Modern water professionals have a duty to develop sound water science and robust evidence to lobby and influence national and regional development policy and investment priorities. We need to be bold and brave to challenge the status quo, argue the case for change, and create a New Water Architecture. Water Resources: A New Water Architecture takes a unique approach to the challenges of water management. The stress caused by our desire to live, eat, and consume is examined in the context of Governance, the role of policy, and the commercial world. The authors share their nine-step vision for a New Water Architecture. Written by three industry practitioners, this book provides students, young professionals, policy makers, and those interested in the sustainability of our natural resources with a pragmatic and compelling perspective on how to manage the ultimate resource of our time.

Contenu
Series Editor Foreword Challenges in Water Management xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgements xvii

List of Abbreviations xix

Units and Conversion xxi

Glossary xxiii

Part I Setting the Scene 1

1 Water Resources in the Twenty-First Century 3

1.1 A Looming Crisis 3

1.2 Human Interactions with Water in the Biosphere 4

1.3 An Inspiring Challenge 6

References 6

2 Fundamentals of Water Management 7

2.1 The Planetary Picture 7

2.1.1 The Blue Planet 7

2.1.2 Water and the Biosphere 8

2.1.3 Distinguishing between Hydrology and Water Resources 10

2.2 Evolution of Water Resource Systems 11

2.2.1 Hydroclimates and Water Resources 12

2.2.2 Mechanisms of Human Interactions with Water Fluxes 18

2.2.3 Anthropogenic Influence: The Traditional Urban Water Cycle 20

2.2.4 Anthropogenic Influence: Advancements in the Urban Water Cycle 24

2.2.5 Anthropogenic Influence: Agriculture 25

2.3 Water, Society and the Biosphere 26

2.3.1 Water and Civilisation 26

2.3.2 The Human Right to Water 27

2.3.3 Population Growth and Mobility 29

2.3.4 Disparity between Water Resources and Population 30

2.3.5 Ability to Access Local Water Resources 30

2.3.6 Different Types of Water Scarcity 32

2.3.7 Ability to Access Distant Water Resources 33

2.3.8 Modern Water Politics 33

References 37

Part II Stresses and Strains 41

3 Key Concepts 43

3.1 Water Fluxes in Space and Time 43

3.2 Mechanisms of Human Interaction with Water Fluxes 45

3.3 Water Stress and Water Scarcity 47

3.4 Virtual Water and the Water Footprint 49

3.5 Live, Eat, Consume: The Conceptual Framework of Water Stress and Virtual

Water 58

References 61

4 Live 63

4.1 Introduction 63

4.2 Water and Energy 63

4.2.1 The Nexus of Water and Energy 63

4.2.2 Energy Use in Water Management 65

4.2.3 Water Use in Energy Production 72

4.3 Urbanisation 86

4.3.1 The Rise of the City 86

4.3.2 Peri?]Urban Communities 88

4.3.3 Traditional Approaches to the Management of Urban Water Supply and Demand 90

4.3.4 Alternative Approaches to Urban Water Supply 91

4.3.5 Demand Management and the Role of Water Pricing 97

4.3.6 Using Water to Meet Urban Demands for Other Resources 100

4.3.7 Flooding in Urban Environments 102

4.3.8 Opportunities and Challenges of Urban Water Management 106

References 110

5 Eat 117

5.1 The Hidden Water in Food 118

5.1.1 How Much Water is Hidden in Food? 118

5.1.2 The Impact of Water Use in the Global Food System 120

5.2 An Increasingly Important Problem 124

5.2.1 Population Growth 124

5.2.2 Changing Diet 126

5.2.3 Food Waste 129

5.2.4 Food as a Globalised Commodity 131

5.2.5 Climate Change 133

5.3 How to Respond to the Water/Food Conundrum 135

5.3.1 Improving the Efficiency of Water Use in the Global Food System 135

5.3.2 The Importance of Consumer Education 145

5.3.3 Improve Governance of Water Use for Food Production 148

References 150

6 Consume 156

6.1 Impact of Consumerism on Water Management 156

6.1.1 Water as the Essential Economic Ingredient 156

6.1.2 Hidden Demand 157

6.2 Water Use in Industry: Which Sectors Use the Most? 158

6.3 Water Use in Industry: Which Activities Use the Most? 161

6.3.1 Agriculture: Water to Produce Non?]Food Goods 161

6.3.2 Mining for Minerals 166

6.3.3 Manufacturing 169

6.4 Water Risk: Recognising the Magnitude of the Problem 170 &lt...