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Choose Clean Water Conference
June 3, 2014Staunton, Virginia
Colorado River
Hoover Dam
All-American Canal and Colorado River Aqueduct
Central Arizona Project
Flaming Gorge and Glen Canyon Dams
Photo: Jonathan Waterman
Colorado River Delta, Mexico
Who is experiencing water shortages, and where?
What happens to people and other species when water shortages occur?
Why do communities and countries run short of water?
Is there some way to avoid shortages, or overcome them once afflicted?
Chasing Water
Global Water Scarcity
~25% of water sources are heavily depleted
Source: “Tapped Out: How Will Cities Secure Their Water Future? Richter and others, Water Policy Journal, 2013
Increasing Water Scarcity
Low Moderate Significant Severe
Minimal impacts
Ecological impacts appear
Impacts to ecosystem services appear
Serious economic impacts
Full natural
availability
20% depletion of renewable annual supply
Water all gone
50% depletion
80% depletion
Two Fundamental Problems
•Governments are reluctant to set limits on water extraction
Source: US Geological Survey
Two Fundamental Problems
•Governments are reluctant to set limits on Governments are reluctant to set limits on water extractionwater extraction
•Remedies are directed at increasing supply rather than reducing demand
Six Ways to Fix a Water Shortage
• Desalination• Water reuse• Water importation• Water storage• Watershed management• Water conservation
Co
st
We Live in a Water-Illiterate World
Nearly 80% of Americans have no idea where their water comes from
Far fewer know what a “watershed” or “aquifer” is
Most water professionals do not understand the difference between “water withdrawal” and
“consumptive use” (do you?)
If we have any hope of empowering citizens to play a more active role in water planning and decision-
making, we face a huge educational challenge
UVA video
Available from Island Press
June 2014