9780131367265

The world faces an unparalleled water crisis: one that will directly or indirectly threaten every nation and virtually every individual. *Brings the global debate about water resources to a higher level, with authoritative insights into both the crisis and the solutions. *Reveals the breadth and depth of the coming water crisis, and its dangerous potential impacts around the world. *Offers innovative, proven techniques for improving water use efficiency through better agriculture, engineering, governance, and incentives. From cities to biofuels, competition for water is accelerating. Climate change threatens to intensify the onset and severity of the water crisis in several regions of the developing world: this is already happening throughout much of Asia, the Mediterranean, southwestern Australia, and the southwestern US. Along with water shortages, unsafe water becomes an increasingly widespread problem, too. As water crises trigger food and health crises, billions may slip further into poverty, leading to greater social and political unrest, new wars, and worsening national security. Running Out of Water doesn't just illuminate the coming global water crisis: it presents innovative solutions in agriculture, engineering, governance, and beyond, including state-of-the art techniques for integrated water management. This book will help raise the level of debate about water to the highest levels of government, and identify workable reforms and incentives to help water users utilize this crucial resource far more efficiently.

Colin Chartres, a world-renowned authority on water issues, is Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). He has 35 years’ experience in R&D and policy areas related to water and natural resources, and served as Chief Science Advisor to the Australian National Water Commission. He has published more than 120 papers, book chapters, and reports on soil, water, and agricultural management issues.

Samyuktha Varma is Executive Officer to the DG/Communications Specialist at IWMI. She focuses on issues of water, equity, and poverty in developing countries, ensuring that women’s voices are heard in the development of water management solutions. A social scientist, her background has led to her work on issues ranging from human rights to urban governance.

Acknowledgments xii

About the Authors xiv

Foreword xvii

Preface xxi

Chapter 1 Not Another Crisis! 1

Why Is Water Important? 1

Some Water Facts 4

Chapter 2 From Abundance to Scarcity in 25 Years 15

The River Jordan 18

The South Asian Groundwater Phenomenon 25

The Murray-Darling Basin 30

The Colorado River 35

Lessons from History 40

Chapter 3 Causes of Water Scarcity 45

Introduction 45

Blue and Green Water 48

Causes of Water Scarcity 48

Population Growth Impact 50

Dietary Change 52

Biofuel Production 53

Urbanization, Globalization, and Other Factors 55

Climate Change Impact 56

Conclusion 57

Chapter 4 Climate Change and Water 59

What Are the Most Likely Impacts of Climate Change? 61

Climate Change Impacts in Asia 66

Climate Change Impacts in Australia 70

Does Water Have a Role in Mitigating Climate Change? 72

Adapting to Climate Change 73

Conclusion 75

Chapter 5 Agriculture and Water 77

Why Is Irrigation So Important? 92

Virtual Water and Water Footprints 95

How Can We Achieve More “Drop Per Drop”? 97

Urban Water Reuse for Agriculture 100

Conclusion 101

Chapter 6 Water, Food, and Poverty 103

The Big Picture–Farming and Poverty 105

Nature and Poverty 107

Irrigation and Poverty–Learning from Asia 109

Groundwater and Poverty 112

Women, Water, and Food 114

Water as Welfare 116

Conclusion 117

Chapter 7 Integrating Water Planning and Management 119

Integrated Water Resources Management 121

Drinking Water and Sanitation in the Developing World 122

What Happens to Our Waste? 126

Recycling and Reuse of Wastewater 128

Multiple Use Water Systems 133

Conclusion 135

Chapter 8 Water Governance for People and the Environment 139

Understanding Water’s Unique Properties 142

A New Blueprint 144

Going Local 146

The Farmers Will Do It for Themselves 148

The Participation Principle 150

Recognizing Informal Institutions–The Commons and Community Management 152

Rivers 153

Conclusion 155

Chapter 9 Water Rights and Water Costs 157

Water Allocation Mechanisms 159

South African Water Policy 160

Water Allocation and Pricing in the United States 162

The Murray-Darling Basin, Australia 166

The Situation in Other Countries 169

The Economics of Water 170

Lessons from Complexity? 176

Conclusion 178

Chapter 10 Solving the World’s Water Problems 183

1. If You Can’t Measure It, You Can’t Manage It 185

2. Treasure the Environment 187

3. Reform Water Governance 189

4. Revitalize Agricultural Water Use 192

5. Manage Urban and Industrial Demand 198

6. Empower the Poor and Women in Water Management 201

Conclusion 204

Endnotes 207

Chapter 1 207

Chapter 2 207

Chapter 3 209

Chapter 4 210

Chapter 5 211

Chapter 6 213

Chapter 7 214

Chapter 8 215

Chapter 9 216

Chapter 10 218

Index 221

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Out of Water From Abundance to Scarcity and How to Solve the World's Water Problems

Out of Water From Abundance to Scarcity and How to Solve the World's Water Problems

0131367269

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