Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3
CHAPTER
THE DISAPPEARING ACT
The fundamental way forward is to understand the problem of
water scarcity, and through a societal approach, deal with it.
—Frank Richards, hydrometeorologist
W
hat happened to America's water? It can't just vaporize—
or can it? As with everything else to do with water, the answer is
complicated, with many issues over time contributing to today's
squeeze.
The water shortage isn't consistent geographically, geologi-
cally, hydrologically, or historically. As we discussed in the last
chapter, the culprits include climate change and drought. Other
causes include geology and geography; changes in population
location and size, water, and land use (and overuse); strict water-
use regulations or lack thereof; infrastructure that is ineffi cient,
antiquated, and worn out; outdated water treatment plants that
can't handle twenty-fi rst-century poisons; natural and man-made
pollution; and handling of water waste. Even the way we develop
land—paving vast areas and thereby keeping water from soaking
back into the ground to naturally replenish supplies—fi gures into
our water woes.
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