ENVS 65 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Water Cycle, Commuter Town, Some Cities
Document Summary
Throughout history, water supply has been sourced from the hydrologic cycle: diverting rainwater and snowmelt that is flowing in rivers, tapping into lakes and groundwater aquifers, and capturing rain and snow directly for irrigation uses. The broad topic of water supply includes the capture, transport, storage, and treatment of water prior to intended use. Intended uses can include urban, industrial, agricultural, and open space/ecological applications. Urban water supply makes up 10-20% of all water supply and is distinguished from other categories by its predictability of demand and the high quality of water needed typically potable water. Urban regions, because so many people live and work in them, are able to generate more revenues for water agencies to secure and deliver water to residents. The competition among cities and between cities, farming regions, and open space managers over scarce water supplies is a common theme of water politics worldwide.
