Designed to serve as both a one-stop information source and a guide to in depth exploration, this eye-opening volume examines the availability and quality of our most fundamental resource—water. Solidly grounded in scientific fact and historical and environmental realities, Water Quality and Availability offers a sobering look at the state of our water supply, the factors that threaten its purity, government regulations designed to preserve and protect it, and how current water shortages are affecting the lifestyle and livelihoods of thousands of Americans. While not promising any easy answers, the book provides solid, useful information that can serve as a foundation for decision making, further research, or simply enhanced understanding of this critical resource.