Present and future perspectives of water resources in developed countries

Based on some present and past features of water resources in developed countries, some future trends are outlined towards the development of water sciences. The reduction of specific consumption use, the amelioration of water quality, and the improvement offlood control measures should dictate innovation of water resources technology. Decision analysis will hopefully play a larger role in water resources analysis and planning than it does at present. These trends will also introduce new perspectives in the development of hydrological sciences, so indicating a route to overcome the present crisis.