Water and energy are basic needs of civilization. Our use of each relies on and affects the availability of the other, and, as populations grow, our demand for both will continue to increase at accelerating rates. Water and energy issues are inseparable, and we cannot address groundwater protection and availability without a keen focus on energy production and use.
This water-energy “nexus” is now being understood within the broader context of “sustainability.” As a society we have the daunting job of seeking ways to sustainably manage our current water supply so we are able to meet both present and future water needs. This is not a job that we can postpone until tomorrow.