Best Water Supply & Land Use Books of 2025

The No Grid Survival Projects Bible by Brandon G. Chasey is the ultimate guide for those who want to become self-sufficient and master bushcraft. With 1000 days' worth of ingenious DIY projects and ideas, this book covers everything from generating energy, collecting and purifying water, to creating a defense system for your disaster-ready home. The author's practical and easy-to-follow ideas offer a refreshing perspective on sustainable living. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to become more self-reliant and prepared for uncertain times ahead.

Harvesting Rainwater for Your Homestead in 9 Days or Less by seksok is a complete stress-free blueprint to building an above-ground, dry rainwater harvesting system in just 9 days or less. With step-by-step illustrated instructions and the amazing 7-step QuickRain Blueprint, even beginners can easily collect pure, clean rainwater with minimal time, budget, and hassle. The book offers adaptable solutions for homesteaders of all backgrounds, as well as anyone looking to create a reliable backup water supply. This book is a must-read for those who want to unlock their family's independent, clean, and off-grid water source.

The 24th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater is an essential resource for professionals in the field of environmental water analysis. The book features updated and clarified procedures, new sections on biological toxin analysis and the detection of Naegleria fowleri, and a major reorganization that makes methods easier to access. Published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation, this edition is the culmination of thousands of hours of volunteer effort by experts. With 82 new or updated methods, it is a must-have for anyone in the water quality and treatment field.

Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation is a comprehensive guide that prepares readers for a scenario where the power grid fails. The author takes readers through the most likely causes of a grid-down situation and how they will affect their families. The book offers practical solutions to immediate short-term problems, such as cooking without a cooker, and long-term solutions, such as emergency backup options. Readers will also learn how to stay healthy and access safe water in such a situation. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to prepare for a crisis.

The book "Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, Revised Edition" by Marc Reisner is a comprehensive and eye-opening account of the West's water crisis. It covers the history of the earliest settlers who were promised paradise, the ruthless tactics employed by Los Angeles politicians and business interests, and the bitter rivalry between two government giants, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The book also includes a new postscript by Lawrie Mott, updating Western water issues over the last two decades. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the drought ravaging the West and the region's prospects for changing course before it is too late."

The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor is a fascinating book that takes readers on a journey through the hidden universe of water. Written in conversational prose, Professor Pollack explains the structure and behavior of water, providing simple answers to complex questions. Despite the political risks associated with water research, Pollack conducted dozens of experiments to piece together the first coherent account of water's three-dimensional structure and behavior. This book is a must-read for anyone curious about the mysteries of water and the natural world.

"Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River" by David Owen is an eye-opening account of the Colorado River, tracing all the water from its headwaters to its parched terminus. Owen takes readers on an adventure downriver, exploring a complex man-made ecosystem of waterways, reservoirs, power plants, farms, fracking sites, ghost towns, and RV parks. The story he tells is crucial to our future, highlighting how a patchwork of engineering marvels, legal agreements, aging infrastructure, and cooperation enables life to flourish in the desert. This wonderfully written book gives readers a headache, but a good one that makes them more informed. Overall, a great, sad, terrifying, and possibly hopeful example of the permanent mark people are making on the planet."

Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I: Liquid Treatment is a self-study manual that covers all aspects of liquid treatment processes and prepares operators for certification examinations. The book includes detailed visuals and infographics, practice questions for each module, and comprehensive math examples. It also aligns with the updated Need-to-Know Criteria from the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). The author, Water Environment Federation, is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization representing water quality professionals worldwide. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in wastewater treatment and its fundamentals.

The book "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1, 3rd Edition" by Brad Lancaster is an award-winning guide that teaches readers how to design and implement water-harvesting systems for their homes, landscapes, and communities. The book is filled with more than 290 illustrations and real-life success stories that inspire readers to welcome rain into their lives. Lancaster's decades of experience in planting rain in Tucson, Arizona, make this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to turn water scarcity into water abundance. Overall, this book is informative, engaging, and a must-read for anyone interested in creating a sustainable water future.

The WSO Water Distribution, Grades 1 & 2 is a comprehensive guide for water system operators seeking certification aligned with the Association of Boards of Certification criteria. Authored by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), this book offers training based on experience and certification level. It covers a wide range of topics, including water distribution system design, operation, maintenance, and management. The book is an essential resource for anyone seeking a career in water system operations and a must-read for those already in the field.