Introduction

Water is one of our most natural resources. Without it, there would be no life on earth. The lifestyle we have become accustomed to depend heavily upon having plenty of cheap, clean water available as well as an inexpensive, safe way to dispose of it after use.

The supply of water available for our use is limited by nature. Although there is plenty of water on earth, it is not always in the right place, at the right time and in the increasing evidence that chemical wastes improperly discarded yesterday are showing up in our water supplies today.

Today, we faces record consumption, uncertain supplies, and growing demands for protection from flooding and pollution. The health and economic effects of a shortage of clean water are matters of great concern.

Hydrology has evolved as a science in response to the need to understand the complex water system of the earth and help solve water problems. Hydrologists play a vital role in finding solutions to water problems, and interesting and challenging careers are available to those who choose to study hydrology.