Availability and Selection of Sources of Water for Water Supply Systems

Abstract

Sources of water are systematically enumerated by the five major categories: (1) surface, (2) underground, (3) atmospheric, (4) recycled, and (5) brackish or saline waters. Each category of sources of water contains two or more specific kinds of water, with brief description of each. A total of 21 kinds of sources of water are identified. Similarly, criteria needed for selection of source(s) of water for the water supply systems are divided into the five major categories. They are: (1) criteria which characterize the source(s) of water and water itself, (2) regional characteristics of sources as related to the water supply systems, (3) water rights and market for water, (4) development of the system in stages, and (5) economics of water supply systems criteria of selection of water source(s). Each of these categories of criteria contains two or more kinds of criteria, with their brief description. A total of 15 criteria are identified. The principles of the application of criteria to selection of the source(s) of water for water supply systems are reviewed in the third part of the text. The last part of this text treats briefly the comprehensive and integrated development, conservation, control and protection of all regional sources of water.