Water, essential for life and the central component around which civilizations are built, has long been considered one of our most abundant natural and renewable resources. Indeed, because more than 70% of the surface is covered by water, Earth is often referred to as the "water planet". Yet water quality and scarcity are be coming critical issues in many parts of the world.

For many in the United States, it is difficult to comprehend problems of fresh water scarcity. Whenever we want clean water, we just simply turn on the faucet. Rarely do we think of all the work that went into finding an appropriate source, treating it, and directing it to our homes. Water tends to make the news when there is an excess, as in flooding event. However, fresh water is not in an infinate supply, and some cities are already facing huge water resource problems.