Summary

"Just do an Internet search." "It's on the Internet" These phrases have quickly become a part of the vernacular. The quintessential book of data relating to water, The Water Encyclopedia: Hydrologic Data and Internet Resources, Third Edition arose from the premise that most of the information provided within this publication could be easily found on the Internet. As the editors and their team of contributors soon discovered, using the Internet for research can be problematic. Too much, too little, and questionable data sets can influence the caliber of your results.

The new edition contains more than 1100 tables and 500 figures providing data related to weather, surface water, ground water, water use, water quality, waste water, pollution, and water resource management. The first two chapters are completely new and discuss data management and international data collection. The pollution chapter has grown to contain some 450 plus tables and figures. Wastewater, previously included within the pollution chapter, is presented as a new standalone chapter.

Whether you are looking for a specific piece of information or exploring many topics, this edition is a portal to quality facts and data sets. Retaining the elements that made the previous editions bestsellers, the third edition elucidates the many changes within the environmental industry and in water-related issues during the last decade. Prepared by scientists and engineers, the book has been significantly expanded beyond the scope of the second edition. Reflecting changes not only in information but also technology, whenever possible, the text includes an Internet address that guides you to the appropriate source.

Choice Review

This is an excellent resource for researchers and professionals in various water industry and study fields. It consists of over 1,600 figures and tables containing water-related data collected from government, academic, and private agencies via both Internet and other sources. The first two chapters, which are new to this edition, provide guidance to professionals, researchers, and students in the areas of data management concepts, and in international data collection informational sources. Chapters and sections cover the same topics as the second edition, e.g., climate, water use, different water types and quality, resource management, and environmental problems. These topics have been expanded and updated to include current and relevant information. Figures and tables offer more clarity and detail than those found in the previous edition. They include source information, and, where applicable, Internet addresses. Other important additions include a section on aquaculture water quality, and expanded information on waterborne diseases and health hazards. As with the second edition, ed. by F. van der Leeden, F. L. Troise, and D. K. Todd (CH, Jun'90, 27-5550), this work includes a useful chapter featuring conversion factors and constants. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. P. M. Watt formerly, University of Arizona