THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN ADDRESSING GLOBAL WATER PROBLEMS

The U.S. facing daunting water problems that must be addressed both now and in the future. The most severe problem is water scarcity which will intensify. Intitutions for managing scarcity effectively are few. Population and economic growth, degradation of water quality, global change and a need to increase food exports will accentuate scarcity. Water problems occur on local and regional scales and are often site specific. They are growing in frequency and intensity. The challenge to the scientific community is two-fold. First, where needed science is in hand, effective methods of transmitting it to managers and the public are needed. Second, new science will be needed to manage water problems and this science will also have to be communicated so that the can form the bases of new technologies, strategies and policies.

A recent survey suggests that global water problems are similar to those in the U.S. but more accute. The need to feed a growing world population will likely outstrip supplies in many areas. Simultaneously, urban and environmental demands will grow. Ground water overdraft constitutes another problem. Without supplemental sources of surface water, economic exhaustionb of ground water will become more common and devastating. Many of the world's water resources continue to be managed in afragmented way. The role of science and the need for effective communication of science is even more urgent on a global scale.