Water is one of our most basic resources. Ensuring that we maintain an adequate, safe, sustainable supply of water is one of our most important environmental objectives. In this chapter, we will consider the topics of water supply, use, and management. The exercises in this chapter will help reinforce the learning objectives from the text:
- Understand the water cycle, and the basic concepts associated with our water supply
- Understand the main types of water use
- Understand basic surface water and groundwater processes
- Be able to discuss some of the key principles associated with water management
- Know what wetlands are and understand their environmental significance
- Know why we are facing a global water shortage linked to food supply
