In many parts of the United States, there is a disconnect between where water is plentiful and where the end users of the water live. Projects like the Lake Sardis Pipeline in Oklahoma (see Oklahoma Water Battle) or the Bay Delta Conservation Plan in California move water from its source to urban and agriculture users hundreds of miles away. But the United States is not alone in creating projects that move large amounts of water from one region to another. China currently is undertaking one if its most ambitious engineering projects to move water resources from the relatively plentiful areas in the south to the drier and more populous areas of the north. Proponents of the so-called South-North Water Transfer Project say that the project will allow China to continue its rapid economic expansion more sustainably. Opponents argue that the project will create even further environmental damage to the water systems that over a billion people rely upon every day. Where does the truth lie? Likely somewhere in between.  Let’s explore both of these issues further, with a bit of background on the project to start. Continue reading →