Water Supply Sustainability: Combatting the Rising Threat of Water Scarcity

Course Description

This course explores the reasons why water is becoming increasingly scarce and what can be done about it. Using accessible, real-world examples from across the United States, we connect climate change, population growth, pollution, aging infrastructure, and industrial development to concrete financial, environmental, and public health consequences, then walk through the regulatory and policy landscape that governs how water is allocated, priced, conserved, and reused. Participants are introduced to a portfolio of emerging technologies and management strategies ranging from desalination, atmospheric water generation, and wastewater reclamation to aquifer recharge, stormwater and rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, and smart water grids. Participants are also introduced how to use data tools, partnership models, and collaborative, systems-based thinking to design and operate more resilient and equitable water systems in their own practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify and describe the fundamentals and causes of water scarcity; and its financial, infrastructure, environmental, quality, customer service, and legal impacts.

2. Analyze the regulatory framework driving the sustainable and equitable access to water resources and efficient water management, including comprehensive strategies combining regulations, policies, and tools.

3. Evaluate the benefits and implementation challenges of solutions to water scarcity including emerging technologies such as advanced desalination, atmospheric water generation, wastewater reclamation, aquifer recharge, stormwater/rainwater harvesting, and smart water grids.

4. Discuss the role engineers play in developing sustainable water management solutions and proactively employing various techniques and strategies to combat water scarcity.