The Future of Water

by Maxwell, Steve; Yates, Scott (CON); Babbitt, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9781583218914
• ISBN10: 1583218912
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-06-01
• Publisher: Amer Water Works Assn

Summary

Now available in paperback, this fascinating book presents scenarios for the broad trends that will have a significant impact upon future water challenges. Population growth and unchallenged water use have brought us to the brink of a worldwide water crisis. Examine what the next 100 years may bring to water use, prices, and availability--and how individuals, water utilities, industries, and countries can change the future of water. Discussions include: On home use-Grass species that live on common seawater, clothes washers that use a cup of water per load--or no water at all, UV-light dishwashers; On agricultural use - Packaging, ¿Irrigated with natural rainfall, no fossil waters used.¿; On industrial use - Old industrial cities in the rainy northeast US that have been shrinking and decaying for decades may experience revitalization; On water storage - America is tearing down many old dams, while China and Africa are on dam-building binges. What are the alternatives? On the role of water - Rivers, lakes, and aquifers cross political borders, creating conflicts. Learn about many innovative technologies and creative solutions to water problems. (Hardcover ISBN 9781583218099 published in 2011)

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Prologue	p. 1
Looking Back on the Future of Water	p. 9
Looking Back to 1910	p. 9
Looking Forward	p. 12
Four Major and Recurring Themes	p. 14
The Future of Water Use Outside the Home	p. 17
Lawns: The American Dream	p. 17
Trends in Landscaping and Water Savings	p. 21
Changing Attitudes	p. 24
The Future of Water Use Inside the Home	p. 29
The Tale of the Toilet	p. 30
The TP Factor	p. 32
Recycling Trends	p. 33
Clothes Washing	p. 36
Bathing	p. 38
Gray Water Systems	p. 41
Doing the Dishes	p. 42
Cooking and Drinking	p. 44
Bottled Water	p. 46
The Future of Agricultural Water Use	p. 53
Abundance, Scarcity, and Cost	p. 53
The Water Cost of Raising Livestock	p. 56
The Water Cost of Crops	p. 65
The Case Against Cotton	p. 71
More on the Water Footprint	p. 74
Summing Up Water and Food	p. 76
The Future of industrial Water Use	p. 81
Emerging Trends	p. 82
Where the Water Is	p. 83
Reducing Consumption	p. 85
Longer-Term Trends	p. 88
Environmental Concerns	p. 90
An Example from the Coal Industry	p. 91
Gold Mining	p. 94
The Nexus of Energy and Water	p. 95
Future Sources of Water	p. 99
Freshwater from the Ocean	p. 99
Innovations in Desalination	p. 105
Other New Sources of Water	p. 108
Groundwater Management	p. 110
Other Approaches	p. 115
The Future of Water Storage	p. 119
Chinas Vast Diversion Projects	p. 120
Global Reach and Conflict	p. 123
The Decline of US Dams	p. 126
Worldwide Trends	p. 131
The Future of Water Utilities	p. 135
Large Utilities	p. 136
Making Water Safe to Drink	p. 139
Wastewater Treatment	p. 143
Innovations in Wastewater Treatment	p. 145
A Look at the Smaller Utilities	p. 149
Water Utilities Around the World	p. 153
The Future of the Water Business	p. 157
The Current Water Industry	p. 157
The Rush to Invest	p. 159
Water Risk	p. 163
Water Rights	p. 165
Privatization and Outsourcing of Water	p. 172
The Future Role of Water	p. 181
Population	p. 185
Economic Growth	p. 187
Energy	p. 188
Climate Change	p. 191
General Demographic Trends	p. 192
The General Outlook	p. 194
Looking Forward to the Future of Water	p. 201
Solutions for Tomorrow	p. 202
Back to Our Recurring Themes	p. 208
Concluding Thoughts	p. 214
Acknowledgments	p. 217
Bibliography	p. 219
Index	p. 233
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