The world faces unprecedented challenges as vital water is used and abused, mismanaged and wasted. This course is a comprehensive analysis of the current state of water issues and future implications, introducing basics of water management and planning. Topics covered are: basic hydrological cycle, human impacts on the hydrologic cycle, water pollution, flood and drought, mining of aquifers, water conflicts, state water laws, historical municipal and irrigation development, dams and pipelines, water and wastewater treatment (and related laws), effects of land use, effects of climate change, FOOD-ENERGY-WATER nexus, economics of water, and contemporary strategies to improve water use and quality. Focus is mostly national, with many local and global examples.
Spring.