Marko Kokic/IFRC This portal has more than 100 peer reviewed reports from the National Academies that offer independent, objective advice on many water-related issues in the United States and abroad. The reports represent the consensus of experts from academia, industry, and various levels of government.

Water resource engineers all over the world face similar challenges in providing clean drinking and wastewater services: aging pipelines that aren't keeping up with growing populations, the emergence of new pathogens, and limited financial resources. Environmental scientists struggle with how to protect and restore natural waterways and groundwater while still meeting human needs for space, economic development, and natural resources. Watershed managers wrestle with the competing demands of flood control, transportation, water supply, fisheries, and industry.

Although the details of these challenges differ from place to place, the lessons we can learn by applying the best possible science are in many cases the same. For example:

• How can we measure success in a stream or wetlands restoration project?
• How can we quantitatively compare alternative water storage solutions?
• How can different regional organizations partner to improve water quality?
• What are the strengths and limitations of public and private water supply?

By contributing our knowledge to the collective wisdom of other water professionals worldwide, we at the National Academies are offering our support to all who are working to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.