"Water resources are natural resources of water that are potentially useful for humans..."
The planning, distribution, and monitoring of water resources to meet the demands of communities and businesses.
Water cycle: The process of how water moves through the earth's system, including precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.
Water sources: Different types of water sources such as surface water, groundwater, and rainwater.
Water demand and consumption: Understanding water usage patterns and identifying ways to reduce water consumption or improve water efficiency.
Water quality: Monitoring and managing the level of water contamination through treatment and water quality testing.
Water infrastructure: The infrastructure required for supplying and distributing water, including pipes, treatment plants, and reservoirs.
Water conservation: Implementing measures to reduce water usage, promote water efficiency, and protect water resources.
Water laws and policies: Understanding the legal regulations and policies that govern water use and water rights.
Water pricing and economics: Understanding the economic principles and mechanisms of water pricing, rate setting and cost recovery.
Water availability assessments: Assessing the availability and quantity of water resources in a particular area by considering various climatic and other water supply factors.
Drought management: Preparing for, mitigating and managing droughts, water shortages, and emergencies.
Water utility management: Understanding the functional and technical aspects of water utility management such as treatment and distribution, operations and maintenance, and asset management.
Water governance: The process of managing water resources at different levels of government, including policy-making, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): IWRM is a comprehensive approach to managing water resources in a holistic and sustainable manner. It involves the coordination of various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, to address water-related issues.
Demand Management: This involves strategies aimed at reducing water consumption and managing water demand. This can include promoting water conservation and efficiency measures such as water-saving fixtures, and encouraging water reuse and recycling.
Water Conservation: This focuses on reducing water waste through education and outreach programs, raising awareness of the importance of water conservation, and promoting water-saving behaviors.
Water Allocation: This involves allocating water resources to different uses and stakeholders based on priority and need. This can involve setting up water rights and water allocation systems, and ensuring that water is distributed fairly and sustainably.
Watershed Management: This involves managing the land and water resources in a particular watershed or catchment area. This may involve measures such as reforestation, soil conservation, and water quality monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the water supply.
Water Governance: This involves the development of policies, regulations, and institutions to manage water resources. This can include stakeholder participation in decision-making processes, improving water management transparency, and promoting accountability.
Water Infrastructure Management: This involves managing the physical infrastructure that delivers water to users, including water treatment plants, distribution networks, and storage facilities. This can include maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, as well as developing new systems to improve water delivery.
Water Pricing: This involves setting the price of water to reflect its true value and encourage efficient use. This can include volume-based pricing, seasonal pricing, and flexible pricing mechanisms to incentivize water conservation.
Technological Solutions: This involves developing and deploying technologies to improve water management, including water treatment technologies, remote sensing and monitoring, and advanced irrigation systems.
Disaster Management: This involves preparing for and responding to water-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and water contamination. This can include measures such as early warning systems, emergency water supply systems, and evacuation plans.
"97% of the water on Earth is salt water..."
"...only three percent is fresh water..."
"...slightly over two-thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps."
"Natural sources of fresh water include surface water, under river flow, groundwater and frozen water."
"Artificial sources of fresh water can include treated wastewater (wastewater reuse) and desalinated seawater."
"Human uses of water resources include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational, and environmental activities."
"Water resources are under threat from water scarcity, water pollution, water conflict, and climate change."
"Fresh water is a renewable resource..."
"...with depletion occurring most prominently in Asia, South America, and North America..."
"...although it is still unclear how much natural renewal balances this usage..."
"...water pollution..."
"...mainly as groundwater..."
"...only a small fraction present above ground or in the air."
"...surface water, under river flow, groundwater and frozen water."
"Human uses of water resources include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational, and environmental activities."
"...depletion occurring most prominently in Asia, South America, and North America..."
"...whether ecosystems are threatened."
"...slightly over two-thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps."
"...the world's supply of groundwater is steadily decreasing..."