Fundamentals of Water Security

Understand How to Manage Water Resources to Equitably Meet Both Human and Ecological Needs

Burgeoning populations and the ever-higher standards of living for those in emerging countries increase the demand on our water resources. What is not increasing, however, is the supply of water and the total amount of water in earth’s biosphere—water that is integral to all standards of living. Fundamentals of Water Security provides a foundation for understanding and managing the quantity-quality-equity nexus of water security in a changing climate.

In a broad sense, this volume explores solutions to water security challenges around the world. It is richly illustrated and pedagogically packed with up-to-date information. The text contains chapter learning objectives, foundation sections reviewing quantitative skills, case studies, and vignettes of people who have made important contributions to water security. To further aid comprehension, end-of-chapter problems are included—both qualitative and quantitative, with solutions available to instructors. Finally, extensive references feature books, journal articles, and government and NGO reports. Sample topics discussed include:

• How the study of water resources has evolved from a focus on physical availability to include social factors and governance
• How water security affects multiple disciplines across environmental science and engineering, hydrology, geography, water resources, atmospheric science, chemistry, biology, health science, and social and political science fields
• How to achieve a sufficient quantity and quality of water to equitably meet both immediate and long-term human and ecological needs
• Analysis of water security in an integrated manner by underscoring the complex interactions between water quantity, water quality, and society

Students taking courses on hydrology, water security, and/or water resource management, along with scientists working in fields where water security is a factor will be able to use Fundamentals of Water Security as a comprehensive textbook to understand and achieve water security.