High and Dry : Meeting the Challenges of the World's Growing Dependence on Groundwater

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for half of the world’s population and is critical for global food security. Simultaneously, groundwater provides enormous environmental benefits by sustaining rivers, lakes, and wetlands, especially during droughts. A growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change now threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. Groundwater is shared among many users and effective groundwater governance is hard to achieve. Solutions require active community engagement and collaboration of diverse stakeholders. External pressure is usually also required to achieve necessary changes and accountability. Groundwater depletion and contamination are prime examples of how many of the world’s most pressing environmental problems require cooperation and collective action. Drawing on examples from around the world, this book examines groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. Major themes woven throughout the book are: (1) the importance of integrating groundwater into overall water and land management, (2) how to achieve sustainable long-term yields from aquifers, (3) protection of groundwater quality, (4) groundwater and surface water as a single resource, (5) preservation of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, (6) measures to address the delayed effects of groundwater pumping, and (7) the role of groundwater in the face of climate change. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource. Groundwater Is Essential For Drinking Water And Food Security. It Provides Enormous Environmental Benefits By Keeping Streams And Rivers Flowing. But A Growing Global Population, Widespread Use Of Industrial Chemicals, And Climate Change Threaten This Vital Resource. Groundwater Depletion And Contamination Has Spread From Isolated Areas To Many Countries Throughout The World. In This Accessible And Timely Book, Hydrology Expert William M. Alley And Science Writer Rosemarie Alley Sound The Call To Protect Groundwater. Drawing On Examples From Around The World, Including Case Studies In The United States, Canada, Australia, India, And Sub-saharan Africa, The Authors Examine Groundwater From Key Scientific And Socioeconomic Perspectives. While Addressing The Serious Nature Of Groundwater Problems, The Book Includes Stories Of People Who Are Making A Difference In Protecting This Critical Resource. -- Publisher's Description Beyond Rain -- India's Silent Revolution -- Arizona -- The World's Poorest People -- Not All Aquifers Are Created Equal -- Who Owns Groundwater? -- Streamflow Depletion -- Water For Nature -- That Sinking Feeling -- Recharge And Recycling -- Poisoning The Well -- Pathogens -- Arsenic -- Fracking -- Nitrate And Aquifer Protection -- Transboundary Aquifer -- Sharing The Common Pool. William M. Alley And Rosemarie Alley. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 251-283) And Index. An engaging call to understand and protect groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for almost half of the world’s population

Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater.

Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource.