On Water & Works: The Evolution of Water Supplies

Urban growth patterns in North America demonstrate how our water industry’s thinking and practice concerning water supplies has evolved over time in response to changes in demand and technology. Leaving aside any political, social, or similar drivers, towns and cities generally establish themselves...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal - American Water Works Association 2017-04, Vol.109 (4), p.2-2
Main Author: MERCER, KENNETH L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Urban growth patterns in North America demonstrate how our water industry’s thinking and practice concerning water supplies has evolved over time in response to changes in demand and technology. Leaving aside any political, social, or similar drivers, towns and cities generally establish themselves around freshwater sources like creeks, lakes, and aquifers. Yet as it grows, a community’s water needs may come to exceed the limits of its original resources so that alternatives to augment local freshwater supplies are needed. As the feasibility of using alternative water supplies has improved, urban development has become less constrained by the proximity to and amount of local fresh water.
ISSN:0003-150X
1551-8833