Australians have always had a strong sense of living in a dry continent, so they value their
water resources highly. Water is essential to support the economy, the natural environment,
and our way of life, but tensions between the differing uses of water are often at the heart of
potential conflicts over maintaining sustainable levels of water use.
Australia faces challenges of a growing urbanised population, of a growing demand for
food, and of managing threatened aquatic ecosystems, all of which will require more water.
Meanwhile, climate change in southern Australia threatens to reduce water availability, while
the extreme floods and droughts of the last decade or so have revealed deep vulnerabilities
of Australia’s water resources and the ecosystems that depend upon them. It is no surprise
therefore that our society is increasingly seeking knowledge about how best to use our finite
water resources.
Water: Science and Solutions for Australia draws upon the scientific literature to provide a clear picture of the water challenges and prospects facing Australia. The book covers the status of Australia’s water resources and their future prospects, the many values we hold for water, and the potential for using water more effectively to meet the growing demands of cities, farmers, industries, and the environment.
Draws upon the scientific literature to provide a clear picture of the water challenges and prospects facing Australia
Covers the potential for using water more effectively to meet the growing demands
Foreword Megan Clark and Andrew Johnson
Acknowledgements
Introduction Bill Young and Ian Prosser
Chapter 1. Current water availability and use Ian Prosser
Chapter 2. Water values Rosalind Bark, Darla Hatton MacDonald, Jeff Connor, Neville Crossman, and Sue Jackson
Chapter 3. Water and climate Francis Chiew and Ian Prosser
Chapter 4. Groundwater Andrew Herczeg
Chapter 5. Water quality Simon Apte and Graeme Batley
Chapter 6. Urban water sustainability Alan Gregory and Murray Hall
Chapter 7. Future urban water supplies Stewart Burn
Chapter 8. Irrigation Mac Kirby
Chapter 9. Water for the environment Rod Oliver and Ian Webster
Chapter 10. Water in mining and industry Ian Prosser, Leif Wolf, and Anna Littleboy
Chapter 11. Conclusions Ian Prosser
Endnotes
Index
View the full table of
contents.
"Water (CSIRO Publishing 2011) will be a useful addition to the library of anyone concerned with water management, whether farmer, rural council officer, conservationist or simply concerned citizen."
Nick Goldie, Cooma-Monaro Express, January 19 2012
