Includes bibliographical references and index.

Groundwater for the 21st Century is a rare, perhaps unique, overview of the science of groundwater; the long, diverse, and intensifying use of this resource by humans; and the need and means for people to understand the science of this limited resource when making or evaluating decisions about its use. This current, big-picture integration of science, resource use, and future prospects is presented in clear, concise, accessible language with the assistance of some 280 diagrams, maps, photographs, and tables. The audience for this book is large and broad, ranging from professionals in many fields whose work requires knowledge of the science, management, and use of groundwater resources to the numerous lay readers wanting and deserving to know more about the status of an essential resource upon which their lives depend.