Over the next quarter century, water utilities in the
United States will face a number of developments that
will put pressure on their resources, spur them to
develop alternative supplies, and necessitate new
approaches to how they conduct business. This article,
the second in a series, highlights two of these trends - population growth and climate change.
The US population is predicted to reach 419 million
by the year 2050, an increase of 50%. Water demands
will skyrocket, stressing limited resources and requiring
development of alternative sources. Furthermore, much
of this population growth will take place in regions
already coping with water supply constraints. In addition,
the population is aging, becoming more diverse in
its ethnic makeup, and attaining higher levels of education - all factors that will affect how utilities communicate
with their customers.
The next 25 years will also bring climate change
that will further test utilities. Wet years are likely to
become wetter, and drought years more severe.
Changes in flow patterns and stream levels could cause
turbidity spikes and increases in contaminant concentrations
that threaten regulatory compliance.
Total water management offers an approach that
can equip utilities to handle both expected developments
and unpredictable events. Rather than tackle
issues on a local level, total water management encourages
a more expansive worldview as well as cooperation
and communication among communities, regulators,
and institutions. Conservation, new technologies,
and integrated resources planning - all hallmarks of
total water management - will also assist water
providers in meeting the challenges of growing demand and climate shifts. Includes 14 references, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 97 - No. 8 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 270 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 7 |
| Published : | 08/01/2005 |
