Water is an integral part of the planet, essential for life, and the subject of ongoing pressures due to human
activities around the world. Water is critical to many facets of our lives, from basic sustenance to food
production, energy production, manufacturing, transportation, and other areas, and aquatic ecosystems
support a diverse array of organisms around the world. However, water resources continue to be
threatened by human activities, affecting both the quantity and quality of water. Stresses to water resources
can stem from a number of sources, including industrial activities, agriculture, hydrological alterations,
energy production, and other activities. Climate change threatens to exacerbate these stresses or otherwise
further stress water resources around the world.
In response to these problems, policy and management initiatives have been developed through the
centuries, and increasingly over the past several decades, governments, industry, intergovernmental
organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and others have recognized the need to advance policies
and programs to protect and restore water resources. In this course, we will focus on the development of
U.S. policies and management approaches addressing water resources, examining both historic
development and contemporary issues, and address both water quality and quantity. Though the focus will
be on U.S. policies, there will be some discussion of binational and international issues, and opportunities
for exploration of international topics through class projects. The course serves as an approved elective for
the Ford School’s Certificate in Science, Technology and Public Policy. The role of science and technology
in water resources policy and management will be considered throughout the course.