Water is the source of life, the sustenance for living, the resource needed for mfg., mining, ag.; the element required to grow our lawns, to water our landscaping, to shower us with refreshment; it is the place where we play; it provides the snow for our winter recreation, and it provides the habitat for our wildlife. Water in Amer. society is more than a physical entity; its symbolic values and non-instrumental uses are growing in significance. This book is about the issues associated with these symbolic values and uses of water: the challenges they present -- in our language, in our allocation mechanisms, in our commun. -- the conflicts raised; and the potential for resolving the difficult, contentious and complex issues concerning the use of water for various purposes.