Groundwater for Sustainable Development Problems, Perspectives

Groundwater is the most important source of domestic, industrial, and agricultural water supply in the world. There is an overwhelming need for information related to exploration, protection, and qualitative and quantitative evaluation of groundwater resources. In many parts of the world, especially in the developing countries, the population growth has created an unprecedented demand for water for industrial, agricultural and drinking water purposes, competing for the same a finite resource. The presence of geogenic contaminants in groundwater for example arsenic and fluoride in toxic levels has posed major environmental health risks of the present century. Several million people depend on arsenic- and fluoride contaminated groundwater for drinking purposes that endangers public health. Urgent solutions are required, based on quality research and sound scientific principles. As a fresh water resource, groundwater has major advantages over surface water. The goal of the international conference "IGC-2006" in New Delhi, February 2006 was to provide a platform bringing together earth scientists, professionals from chemical and engineering science disciplines, public health professionals and social scientists involved with the sustainable development of groundwater resources. "Groundwater for Sustainable Development" presents a selection of the updated, peer-reviewed papers resulting from this important International Conference and gives an broad overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge and discussions taking place on this important subject.Bhattacharya, Prosun is the author of 'Groundwater for Sustainable Development Problems, Perspectives', published 2007 under ISBN 9780415407762 and ISBN 0415407761.