Most Western societies take clean water for granted. When we turn on the tap, we rarely question the source, its reliability or its quality. Perhaps out of habit, we assume there will always be more. Water is one of our most critical resources – even more important than oil. Water sustains agriculture and, thus, our food chain. Vast quantities of water are used to make the silicon chips that help power our computers and cell phones. Electric power plants depend heavily on water, and account for a staggering 39 percent of freshwater withdrawals in the United States. It could be said.
