Safe and clean water is central to American life. We expect safe water from every faucet any time we want, and most economic activity relies on readily available and clean water. The American Geological Institute's (AGI) publication, Water and the Environment examines how science addresses many of the issues central to providing clean and safe water for society.
As part of the Environmental Awareness Series, Water and the Environment provides an overview of the water cycle, explains the relationships between surface and groundwater, and make us aware of the status and quality of this critical resource. Most of the book focuses on the environmental concerns of how water resources are managed, such as the impact of dams and of groundwater depletion. It provides a comprehensive look at the affects of floods, droughts and pollution by various sources, and shows how water resources are protected through conservation, water quality treatment, and protective laws and legislation.
Produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the USDA Forest Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Water and the Environment is the practical and essential guide about the most precious staple of life. From the basics about where we get our water, to the ways we can protect it from misuse or overuse, Water and the Environment sets the stage for informed decisions at all levels.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 42 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org.