Full Description
New Second Edition Now Available! Next to air, water is the most important natural resource present on Earth, and it is present in every living thing. It is time to treat this precious resource with the respect it truly deserves! Its sustainable use is more necessary than ever to satisfy essential needs of the growing world population.
Introduction to Water Resources is truly an introductory textbook on water that exposes beginners to all aspects of water: its perpetual existence due to unique properties; how it cycles through the Earth; its availability in three different forms; how humans have utilized it for their survival and development; its quality; and laws and regulations surrounding its use.
Introduction to Water Resources summarizes the processes of treatment before its distribution to the public and the processes needed to safely discharge wastewater back to the environment. It also emphasizes on "How important is to consider water as an economic good and conserve it for future generations?" The textbook introduces readers to the different applications of water and the unique role water plays at present, and would play in the future for meeting the ever-increasing demands for food, energy, and clean environment.
Introduction to Water Resources provides a strong basis for learning all aspects of water and its applications in today's society.
Available in print and eBook versions, Introduction to Water Resources includes:
Descriptive models regarding how water was used for work in the past civilizations.
Review Questions at the end of each chapter to assess comprehension of the concepts.
Tests the National Weather Service use to observe the different rates of water properties.
Chapter summaries to help readers prepare for exams and reinforce concepts.
The second edition includes:
Case studies on current and emerging issues in water to reinforce students' understanding of the topics and inspire them through illustration of actual events.
Web-links to real time water resources data for the readers to surf through their own watersheds and understand the role it plays in their own communities.
Simple problem solving scenarios at the end of each chapter to reinforce their ability to apply their knowledge of water to practice in real life and in careers they would choose.
Contents
About the Authors
Preface
Chapter 1 The Role of Water in Early Civilizations
Introduction
The Egyptians
The Mesopotamians
The Greeks
The Romans
The Chinese
The Indus Valley
The Americas
The Other Civilizations
The Scientific Methods
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 2 Properties of Water and Fundamentals of the Hydrologic Cycle
Introduction
The Hydrogen Bond
Properties of Water
Case Study
The Hydrologic Cycle
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 3 Evaporation and Transpiration
Introduction
Evaporation
Transpiration
Evapotranspiration (ET)
Evapotranspiration and Water Supply
Case Study on Evapotranspiration
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 4 Condensation
Introduction
The Process of Condensation
The Formation of Clouds and Fog
Measurement of Condensation
Cloud Seeding
Applications of Condensation
The Importance of Condensation
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 5 Precipitation
Introduction
The Process of Precipitation
Forms of Precipitation
Precipitation Mechanisms
Measuring Precipitation
Variations in Precipitation
Precipitation Data Analysis
Snow
Interception by Vegetation
The Usefulness of Precipitation Data
Acid Rain
The Impact of Global Climate Changes on Precipitation
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 6 Infiltration and Soil Water
Introduction
Soil in the Earth's Subsurface and Its Zones
Infiltration
Soil Water
The Importance of Infiltration
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 7 Surface Water
Introduction
Surface Runoff and the Runoff Cycle
The Factors Affecting Runoff
Measurement of Runoff
The Floodplain
Floods
Case Study: Catastrophic Flooding from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of 2017 in Southern USA
Surface Water Bodies
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 8 Groundwater
Introduction
The Aquifer
The Geology of Aquifers
The Hydrology of Aquifers
Case Study: Hydrogeology of the High Plains Aquifer
Accessing Groundwater Using Wells
Uses of Groundwater
Groundwater Contamination
Study of Local Groundwater Resources in Your Area
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 9 Water Quality
Introduction
Basic Characteristics of Natural Water
The Distribution of Salts in Water Bodies
Contaminants in Water, their Toxicities, and Associated Health Effects
Natural Water as the Source for Minerals
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 10 Multiple Applications of Water
Introduction
Fish and Wildlife
Wetlands
Navigation
Recreation
Hydropower
Farm Ponds
Irrigation
Flood Control
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 11 Water Supply and Treatment
Introduction
Municipal Water Supply Systems
Case Study
Desalination
Federal Protection of Drinking Water
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 12 Wastewater Treatment
Introduction
Characteristics of Wastewater
Transportation of Wastewater to the Treatment Plant
The Wastewater Treatment Process
Combined Sewer Overflow: A Threat to Water Quality
Project Clean Lake: A Case Study on LTCP for CSOs in Cleveland, OH
Handling of Wastewater Sludge
Anaerobic Digestion
Modern Wastewater Treatment
Septic Tanks and Leach Fields
Wetlands
The Future of Wastewater Treatment
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 13 Water Law
Introduction
The Riparian Doctrine
The Prior Appropriation Doctrine
Federal Water Rights
Indian Water Rights
Interstate Compacts
Groundwater Laws
Transboundary Water Management
Current Approaches
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 14 Federal Legislations
Introduction
The Organizational Structure
Federal Agencies Involved in Water Legislations
Federal Legislation
The Effects of Environmental Regulations in Water
Types of Water Resources and Regulations Governing Their Use
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 15 Benefit-Cost Analysis
Introduction
Economic Analysis
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Time Value of Money
Discounting Techniques
Project Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis of Public Water Projects
Cost Allocation and Cost Sharing
Case Study of Using BCA Method in the Selection of Water Projects
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 16 Water Conflicts
Introduction
The Reasons for Water Conflict
The Tragedy of the Commons
Potential for Water Conflicts
International Water Conflicts
Internal Water Conflicts
Resolution of Conflicts
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 17 Economics of Water
Introduction
Supply and Demand
The Value of Water
Water Prices
Privatization of Water
Water Markets
Water Banking
Water Use Efficiency
Competing Water Uses
Future Water Problems and Solutions
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Chapter 18 The Future of Water Resources
Introduction
Climate Change
Population Pressure
Water Conflicts
Economic Considerations
Efficiency of Water Uses
Water Security
Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus
Status of Water Infrastructure
The Institutional Considerations
Chapter Summary
Review Questions
Bibliography
Index
