Water and the Environment: The American Geological Institute's Guide to Managing Water Resources

This winter has brought unusually deep snow packs to the Sierra Nevada, and torrential rains to California. Even though 2004 was a wet year for much of the Southwest, the effects of the multi-year drought are not over. It will take years of high-precipitation to counter the many years of drought that the west has experienced. In an already stressed environment, with growing population and long-term drought, water resources are in short supply and will need sound management to meet present and future needs.

Safe and clean water is central to American life. We expect safe water from every faucet any time we want, and most economic activity relies on readily available and clean water. The American Geological Institute’s (AGI) publication, Water and the Environment examines how science addresses many of the issues central to providing clean and safe water for society.

As part of the Environmental Awareness Series, Water and the Environment provides an overview of the water cycle, explains the relationships between surface and groundwater, and makes us aware of the status and quality of this critical resource. Most of the book focuses on the environmental concerns of how water resources are managed, such as the impact of dams and of groundwater depletion. It provides a comprehensive look at the affects of floods, droughts, and pollution by various sources, and shows how water resources are protected through conservation, water quality treatment, and protective laws and regulations.

Produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the USDA Forest Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Water and the Environment is the practical and essential guide about the most precious staple of life. From the basics about where we get our water, to the ways we can protect it from misuse or overuse, Water and the Environment sets the stage for informed decisions at all levels.