Abstract
The United States faces a bevy of persistent and emerging water challenges in the 21st century. Many key water laws and policies are outdated or not effectively or equitably enforced. An increasing number of aquatic ecosystems are in danger of collapse. Many cities, businesses, and farms are not taking advantage of existing, cost-effective water conservation technologies and practices. Much of the nation’s infrastructure is outdated and will become increasingly obsolete as climate change alters the timing and magnitude of water supplies. Rising energy demands and shifts in energy sources, such as increased ethanol and natural gas production, are putting additional pressure on the nation’s water resources. In turn, increased water demand for growing populations will have important energy implications.
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Christian-Smith, J., Gleick, P.H., Cooley, H. (2012). U.S. Water Policy Reform. In: Gleick, P.H. (eds) The World’s Water. The World’s Water. Island Press, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-59726-228-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-59726-228-6_7
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