Article
Century of water supply expansion for ten U.S. cities
Applied Geography
(2013)
Abstract
As population and water demand have grown, U.S. cities have responded by expanding their water supplies. This article traces this process over a century for ten U.S. cities. Most of the cities began by providing inexpensive local ground water. As the renewable supply capacity of local sources was exceeded, cities were forced to look further afield to obtain (or purchase) water (e.g., Marion, IL; Greensboro, NC), to access water from Federal projects (Tucson, AZ) or through international or interstate agreements (Waukesha, WI and Virginia Beach, VA), to combine with other localities in large joint projects (Greensboro, NC), or to use eminent domain to annex land for a new reservoir. This last approach has become increasingly limited by environmental statutes.Â
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2013.07.020
Citation Information
Christopher L. Lant. "Century of water supply expansion for ten U.S. cities" Applied Geography Vol. 45 (2013) p. 58 - 76 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/christopher_lant/172/