Abstract

Water is a limited resource. Even if water is a renewable resource, it is, at the same time, finite. Its availability is largely dictated by climate. Low precipitation and high evaporation often mean small amounts of useable water. In recent years, much progress in efforts to improve living conditions has been achieved through technological solutions. Total water use in the world has quadrupled during the past 50 years. At present and in the future, livelihood conditions for the burgeoning populations can only be marginally improved through the construction of dams, reservoirs, and conveyance structures. New approaches are needed for the proper management and use of water resources.