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America's Water and Wastewater Crisis: The Role of Private Enterprise
America's Water and Wastewater Crisis The Role of Private Enterprise Author:Lewis D. Solomon This book examines the role of private firms in the American water and wastewater industry. As more water infrastructure shifts from public- to private-sector control, vendors, consultants, and facilities are taking on more importance. Solomon presents an historical overview of water supply and treatment needs over time and the role of the gover... more »nment, including how water policy has been crafted. He argues that water scarcity is becoming a major problem due to groundwater depletion, contamination, and patterns of consumption. He also examines the impact of climate change on water availability and quality considering voluntary conservation programs and mandatory restrictions for water use. Solomon also points to how for-profit firms can use technology to increase water supply. There are a number of options: by water reuse and desaliniation, reducing water losses due to decaying infrastructure, implementing irrigation technology, and increasing efficiency, thereby decreasing consumption. He describes what privatiation would look like in practice and reviews evidence from two case studies. Solomon proposes privatiation as a viable response to America?s water crisis, only that can address both scarcity and capital problems. America?s Water and Wastewater Crisis presents a careful examination of how the water industry has operated in the U.S. in the past and how it may work as we move into the future.« less