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

Chartres, former Chief Science Advisor to the Australian National Water Commission and the current Director General of the International Water Management Institute, argues, along with his Executive Officer Varma, that population growth, economic development (especially with increased use of biofuels), increasing urbanization, and climate control will lead to a severe global water crisis and food shortage "unless we manage our water resources better than we have in the past." After a detailed review of the global situation, the authors offer an in-depth look at water management in Australia, Jordan, South Asia, and the American Southwest, revealing that in most countries today, ensuring a safe drinking water supply and managing sanitation issues are treated separately from agricultural water use and pollution problems. They propose a solution of integrated water planning and holistic "water governance and management… across all sectors of the economy and environment" that would entail recycling and reusing waste water, for drinking as well as agricultural use, and close monitoring of ground water consumption. A detailed, comprehensive tract, targeted at policy-makers and planners rather than a general readership. (Aug.)