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Surface Water Resources

Surface water resources describe superficial bodies of water present in a designated area, including lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, brooks, estuaries and any other body of fresh water. Superficial saltwater resources, like oceans and bays, are usually not included in surface water resource counts, as salt water has fewer uses as a resource, just as frozen fresh water resources like glaciers are usually excluded due to access difficulties. Surface water resources, therefore, are an extremely scarce resource on a global scale -- less than 1 percent of total global water resources, according to the United Nations -- a fact that dictates careful management that takes into account each possible use of the resources.

  1. Drinking Water and Household Use

    • Perhaps the most important use of surface water resources, drinking water and household water, both vital for human survival and sanitation, are often drawn from surface water resources. Although groundwater is also a source of drinking water, the ease of channeling surface water, versus groundwater pumping, often makes for more affordable potable water. Of course, the preservation of potable water resources requires maintenance of their purity and quality, achieved both by protecting surface water from polluting discharges and protecting wetlands and forests. These ecosystems naturally purify water and keep soil from eroding into bodies of water.

    Irrigation

    • In a few select agricultural areas precipitation alone can effectively maintain crops. However, most agricultural areas require additional irrigation or farm operators choose to install irrigation for added safety because seasonal precipitation varies. As with potable water, groundwater is often used for irrigation, but the easy accessibility of surface water makes it the desirable and cost-effective option, particularly in growing areas with little infrastructure. Irrigation water management, however, requires careful planning, particularly because irrigation water is most in demand during dry seasons, when water bodies have the lowest flows. A number of policy options exist for managing these issues in agricultural water use, including quota systems, water fees and campaigns to make investments in more efficient irrigation.

    Power Generation and Industry

    • Water is a valuable resource in several industrial processes, from cooling and cleaning to use as a manufacturing material for liquids and gels. Surface water can also be used as the driving agent for hydroelectric dams, turning turbines to generate electric power. Water used in these processes, nonetheless, often has to be dammed, transported or subjected to processes that affect its purity. As a result, managing surface water resources to account for industrial uses requires a regulatory system that protects the resource and the rights of users and farmers downstream.

    Other Uses: Transportation, Cultural Value and Recreation

    • As an integral part of the surface landscape, superficial water bodies also have a number of social uses. Throughout history, bodies of water have been used for transportation, requiring less energy use in some cases than ground or air transport. Not surprisingly, given their enormous importance to human survival, certain bodies of water, such as the Ganges River in India, also have important ritual and symbolic cultural functions, operating as a critical cultural resource for members of certain groups or religions. Even in secular traditions, moreover, bodies of water are frequently used as spaces for public and private recreation. Any management scheme for surface water resources needs to take these social values into account when allocating the resources to various uses, in order to maximize social benefits.

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