Book Summary of Controlling Water Use: The Unfinished Business of Water Quality Protection by David H. Getches, Lawrence J. MacDonnell, Teresa A. Rice

Controlling Water Use: The Unfinished Business of Water Quality Protection, David H. Getches, Lawrence J. MacDonnell, Teresa A. Rice, (Colorado: Natural Resources Law Center, 1991, 134 pp.

Controlling Water Use: The Unfinished Business of Water Quality Protection will be of interest to those who desire to broaden their understanding of water quality issues in the Western United States. After a brief summary of the work, the authors divide the book into four parts, the first of which examines the protection of water quality in the West. The authors assert that with few exceptions, State governments approach water quality protection in response to federal legislation. Thus, the authors examine the Clean Water Act which focuses upon point source control, water quality standards, anti-degradation, non-point sources and wasteload allocation. They also discuss the Safe Drinking Water Act and groundwater quality concerns. The authors also examine the legislation enacted by State governments which tends to set stricter standards than federal requirements. The final section of this first part addresses the lack of funding with which both federal and State programs are faced. The authors assert that although there has been progress, the problems surrounding the protection of water quality have not been solved.

Part two examines how water use affects water quality. Acknowledging that all uses of water affect its quality, the authors focus on four main uses. First they address the changes in quality which results from depletion of streamflows. Second, they discuss the changes that result from water storage. Pollution migration, in which the withdrawal of water causes existing pollutants to migrate is examined. The incidental pollution which results from unregulated returns of water is also a factor in the degradation of water quality. Finally, the authors discuss the cumulative effect of multiple water uses on water quality. They offer the salinity problem in the Colorado River Basin as an example of such an effect.

Part three is an examination of the protection of water quality within the Western water allocation systems. The authors note that States do not generally limit allocations or uses of water toward the end of improving water quality, but rather depend upon water treatment for this purpose. While some States have begun to incorporate the limitation of appropriations into their water quality protection programs, the authors assert that States have not adequately addressed water quality degradation caused by water use. Part four offers recommendations for State approaches. The overarching recommendation offered is that water allocation and water quality programs be integrated. In addition, the authors suggest that water quality should be a major part of all planning processes. They also note that increases in funding and support are necessary to any successful water quality protection effort. Controlling Water Use: The Unfinished Business of Water Quality Protection is a careful examination of the relationship between water quality and water use. The text is accompanied by tables and maps which the reader will find most useful.