America's founders did not anticipate living in the desert. The Constitution's primary mechanism for dividing shared water resources among states — the interstate compact — has proved inadequate to deal with situations in which water is extremely scarce.

International researchers from 14 institutions met in Nicosia (Cyprus) on the 10th and 11th of December to present and debate the results of studies on water, conflict and security conducted in the past three years in a variety of locations in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel under the CLICO research project.

There are accusations of conspiracies, illegal secret meetings and double-dealing. Embarrassing documents and e-mails have been posted on an official Web site emblazoned with the words “Fact vs. Fiction.” Animosities have grown so deep that the players have resorted to exchanging lengthy, caustic letters, packed with charges of lying and distortion.  And it is all about water.

"While wars over water are unlikely within the next 10 years, water challenges - shortages, poor water quality, floods - will likely increase the risk of instability and state failure, exacerbate regional tensions, and distract countries from working with the United States on important policy objectives," according to an assessment released today by the U.S.

Arapahoe County has purchased the rights to thousands of acre-feet of agricultural water in northern Colorado, marking its first foray into the region and adding another chapter in the battle between farmers and cities for future water security.

A 2003 water pact between the Imperial Valley and San Diego County was supposed to be good for both parties, and for California. But the agreement — billed as the largest sale of water from farms to cities in the nation — is snared in litigation and the outcome is uncertain.

Peter Key knew something was strange when the water levels in his tropical fish tank began to go down last summer. Then the washing machine took 40 minutes to fill, and the toilets would not flush. But even as Mr. Key and neighbors spent $14,000 to deepen their community well here, they had identified a likely culprit.

With global water shortages on the horizon, climate change supporters say an extreme response will be needed from international governments to stem the potential for conflict it will create around the world.

Montana regulators acknowledged this week that homebuilders are using permit-exempt wells to bypass laws intended to protect water supplies in arid areas, but they nonetheless rejected a bid to close what critics call a loophole to undermine ranchers' water rights. While the state environmental agency pledged to revisit the law next year, petitioners whose challenge was rejected expressed

As winter melts into spring and McPhee Reservoir begins its slow ascent to full capacity, the placid waters conceal a raging battle with the hallmarks of history. Two major water providers, Montezuma Valley Irrigation Co.