I. Introduction

Too often Americans take for granted a system that provides clean, safe, and inexpensive water: from the drinking water that comes out of our taps, to the water that helps us flush our toilets, to our local watersheds where we live, work, and play. Americans also tend to forget the connection between land use and water, particularly when growth drives the agenda. But what happens when the well runs dry? People suddenly will pay greater attention to their usage and will think about reductions, restrictions, and bans.

Dan Tarlock and Sarah Bates examine the question of what limits on sustainable growth are posed by the climate and landscapes of the American West in their article, Western Growth and Sustainable Water Use: If There Are No "Natural Limits," Should We Worry About Water Supplies? The authors articulate the struggles that water managers will face to meet increasing demands. How can we handle the current growth? Many agencies have changed their focus, and we all need to change how we view, value, and manage water.