Water resource management policies worldwide are at a crossroads. On the one hand, a remarkable consensus on the principles of reform has emerged. On the other hand, it has turned out to be difficult to transfer the principles into reality. This document describes the distinctive experience of water reform in the state of Victoria, Australia, which has been a leader in the field. The document is a compelling "insiders' view" by three professionals who played central roles in the process. Although the Victoria experience emerges from a specific natural, cultural, historical and political context, the generic lessons on the technical and political reform procedures and the links between them are of profound relevance to those engaged in the water reform process throughout the world.
This report contains a collection of papers from a workshopâ€"Strengthening Science-Based Decision-Making for Sustainable Management of Scarce Water Resources for Agricultural Production, held in Tunisia. Participants, including scientists, decision makers, representatives of non-profit organizations, and a farmer, came from the United States and several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The papers examined constraints to agricultural production as it relates to water scarcity; focusing on 1) the state of the science regarding water management for agricultural purposes in the Middle East and North Africa 2) how science can be applied to better manage existing water supplies to optimize the domestic production of food and fiber. The cross-cutting themes of the workshop were the elements or principles of science-based decision making, the role of the scientific community in ensuring that science is an integral part of the decision making process, and ways to improve communications between scientists and decision makers.
Microirrigation has become the fastest growing segment of the irrigation industry worldwide and has the potential to increase the quality of food supply through improved water fertilizer efficiency. This book is meant to update the text "Trickle Irrigation, Design, Operation and Management". This text offers the most current understanding of the management criteria needed to obtain maximum water and fertilization efficiency.* Presents a detailed explanation of system design, operation, and management specific to various types of MI systems* Analyzes proper use of irrigation technology and its effect to increase efficiency* Provides an understanding to the basic science needed to comprehend operation and management* Over 150 figures of designs and charts of systems including, surface drip, subsurface drip, spray/microsprinkler, and more
In order to confront the increasingly severe water problems faced by all parts of the country, the United States needs to make a new commitment to research on water resources. A new mechanism is needed to coordinate water research currently fragmented among nearly 20 federal agencies. Given the competition for water among farmers, communities, aquatic ecosystems and other users-as well as emerging challenges such as climate change and the threat of waterborne diseases-Confronting the Nation's Water Problems concludes that an additional $70 million in federal funding should go annually to water research. Funding should go specifically to the areas of water demand and use, water supply augmentation, and other institutional research topics. The book notes that overall federal funding for water research has been stagnant in real terms for the past 30 years and that the portion dedicated to research on water use and social science topics has declined considerably.
First published in 1999, this collection of papers represents the latest thinking on the effects of globalisation and agri-food restructuring from a regional and peripheral perspective. The book breaks new ground in our understanding of the relationship between the global, regional and local levels in the sphere of agri-food production. While Australia and New Zealand are important components of the agri-food system, the economic and political decisions which impact at the regional and local level are usually made elsewhere - often in the boardrooms of global companies and the political institutions of Europe and North America. At the same time, however, Australia and New Zealand have sought to establish some independent room for manoeuvre. In Australia this can be seen in the targeting of consumers in South East Asia, and New Zealand has experienced both sweeping deregulation and niche marketing of goods such as organic produce. The success or failure of these strategies cannot currently be determined, but this invaluable collection presents and discusses some possible future scenarios. Featuring 31 specialists in sociology, geography, social anthropology, veterinary science, environmental studies and sustainable development, it is a product of the Agri-Food Research Network. The volume includes 19 essays which attempt to conceptualise a series of global trends and their local ramifications, explore Australian and New Zealand experiences of agri-food restructuring in historic, ideological and discursive terms, and analyse local policy and politics and the influence on rural producers, along with studying four key concepts underpinning agri-food research and the possibilities for their application in new areas. .
In December 2002, a group of specialists on water resources from the United States and Iran met in Tunis, Tunisia, for an interacademy workshop on water resources management, conservation, and recycling. This was the fourth interacademy workshop on a variety of topics held in 2002, the first year of such workshops. Tunis was selected as the location for the workshop because the Tunisian experience in addressing water conservation issues was of interest to the participants from both the United States and Iran. This report includes the agenda for the workshop, all of the papers that were presented, and the list of site visits.
Filled with figures, images, and illustrations, Encyclopedia of Water Science, Second Edition provides effective concepts and procedures in environmental water science and engineering. It unveils a wide spectrum of design concepts, methods, and solutions for enhanced performance of water quality, treatment, conservation, and irrigation methods, as well as improved water efficiency in industrial, municipal, and agricultural programs. The second edition also includes greatly enhanced coverage of streams and lakes as well as many regional case studies. An International Team Addresses Important Issues The only source to provide full coverage of current debates in the field, the encyclopedia offers professional expertise on vital issues including: Current laws and regulations Irrigation management Environmental water economics Agroforestry Erosion control Nutrient best management practices Water sanitation Stream and lake morphology and processes Sharpen Your Skills — Meet Challenges Well-Armed A direct and reliable source for best practices in water handling, preservation, and recovery, the encyclopedia examines challenges in the provision of safe water supplies, guiding environmental professionals as they face a worldwide demand for sanitary and affordable water reserves. Also Available Online This Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for researchers, students, and librarians, including: Citation tracking and alerts Active reference linking Saved searches and marked lists HTML and PDF format options Contact Taylor and Francis for more information or to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367; (E-mail) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062; (E-mail) [email protected]
This book covers a wide spectrum of water resources management, including water supply and demand, operation and maintenance of water distribution systems, water quality assessment, impacts of climate change on hydrological extremes, and water governance. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth are the major factors contributing to a significant rise in water demands across all the sectors in India. Although the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall contributes primarily to the available surface and groundwater resources, recurrent non-uniform/erratic rainfall events have resulted in widespread water scarcity. On many occasions, extreme meteorological conditions trigger the severity of water-related disasters such as floods and droughts. The untreated wastewater from domestic and industrial sources discharged through un-engineered means, adds to the issue as it ends up polluting the surface and groundwater resources.
Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Fossil and Nuclear Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration
