7 Best-Selling Water Supply Books Millions Love

Recommended by Peter Gleick, climate and water scientist, these Water Supply books offer expert insights and popular knowledge for professionals and history buffs.

Peter Gleick
Updated on June 25, 2025
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When millions of readers and top experts agree, you know you're looking at something worth your time. Water supply isn't just about pipes and pumps—it's the lifeline of cities, industries, and ecosystems. Today, water challenges demand proven strategies and deep understanding, making trusted books a vital resource for anyone involved in managing or studying this essential resource.

Peter Gleick, a distinguished climate and water scientist honored by the US National Academy of Sciences, highlights books like Water for Gotham for their clear portrayal of urban water struggles and solutions. His endorsement speaks volumes about the importance of historical and technical knowledge in navigating modern water supply issues.

While these best-selling books provide thoroughly validated frameworks and stories, if your needs are more specific or you want a streamlined approach, consider creating a personalized Water Supply book tailored to your background and goals. This way, you combine proven wisdom with your unique challenges and aspirations.

Best for water treatment professionals
Water Quality and Treatment: a Handbook of Public Water Supplies, 3rd Edition, represents a landmark in water supply literature, created through the collaborative effort of leading experts in sanitary engineering and water chemistry. This handbook consolidates nearly twenty years of advances in water treatment science and utility operation, making it a cornerstone resource for professionals managing public water systems. Its detailed coverage of purification methods and water quality management addresses critical challenges faced by water utilities, offering a robust framework for those responsible for maintaining safe and reliable water supplies. The book’s enduring relevance reflects its foundational approach to the art and science of water treatment.
1971·Water Treatment, Water Quality, Water Supply, Sanitary Engineering, Purification Methods

Unlike most water supply books that skim the surface, this handbook dives deep into the technical and scientific advances made over nearly two decades leading up to its 1971 release. Authored by a coalition of experts in sanitary engineering, water chemistry, and purification, it offers detailed insights on water treatment processes and quality control that remain relevant for understanding foundational principles. You’ll gain a thorough grasp of both practical operations and the evolving science behind public water utilities. This book suits engineers, utility operators, and anyone invested in the infrastructure and safety of public water supplies, though casual readers may find its technical depth challenging.

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Best for urban water history enthusiasts
Peter Gleick, a prominent climate and water scientist recognized by the US National Academy of Science and recipient of the Carl Sagan Prize, highlights "Water for Gotham" as the definitive history of New York City's water system. His endorsement carries weight, considering his extensive work on water issues and science popularization. Gleick’s recommendation reflects how the book captures the complex intertwining of urban growth, political maneuvering, and engineering innovation, deepening understanding of water supply challenges that many cities face even today.
PG

Recommended by Peter Gleick

Climate/water scientist; US National Academy of Science

@debcha @Katchinoff The book "Water for Gotham" is the best history of NYC's water story. (from X)

Water for Gotham: A History. book cover

by Gerard T. Koeppel·You?

2000·376 pages·Water Supply, Water Quality, Urban Planning, Infrastructure, Public Health

After extensive research into New York City's water history, Gerard T. Koeppel developed a narrative that traces the city’s evolution through its battle for clean water. You’ll find a detailed exploration of how early settlers’ shallow wells quickly became inadequate, leading to crises like cholera epidemics and devastating fires. The book dives into the political and engineering feats behind the Croton Aqueduct, highlighting figures such as Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, and how their actions shaped the city’s infrastructure. If you’re interested in urban planning, civic leadership, or the interplay between technology and natural resource management, this history offers insightful perspectives grounded in archival photographs and personal accounts.

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Best for custom water system plans
This AI-created book on water supply is tailored to your skill level and interests, designed to help you master the essential aspects of water system design and management. By sharing your background and goals, the book focuses on the topics most relevant to you, whether it's improving distribution networks or enhancing water quality. Personalization matters here because water supply challenges can vary widely depending on context, and this custom approach ensures you get focused knowledge that fits your unique needs.
2025·50-300 pages·Water Supply, System Design, Water Treatment, Distribution Networks, Resource Management

This tailored book explores the essential principles and practical considerations of designing and managing water supply systems with a focus that matches your background and goals. It examines the key components of water sourcing, treatment, distribution, and system maintenance, delivering insights personalized to your specific interests and knowledge level. By blending popular knowledge with reader-validated information, it offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of water system reliability and efficiency. The content reveals how to address challenges such as infrastructure resilience, quality control, and resource sustainability, all framed to suit your learning priorities. This personalized guide fosters an engaging learning experience, making complex water supply concepts accessible and relevant to you.

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Best for industrial water system managers
Daniel Flynn’s The Nalco Water Handbook remains a foundational text in the water supply field, offering detailed insights into water chemistry, treatment operations, and conservation strategies. Its approach covers essential areas such as industrial and municipal water use and advanced disposal techniques. The handbook’s thorough treatment of water pollutants and treatment technologies makes it an important resource for specialists and those new to water management alike, addressing critical challenges in water conservation and use with practical data and methodologies.
1988·1120 pages·Water Supply, Water Chemistry, Water Treatment, Industrial Water Use, Municipal Water Use

What started as a response to the nation's push for zero discharge of water pollutants, Daniel Flynn's handbook offers a detailed exploration of water chemistry, treatment methods, and conservation strategies. You’ll find extensive information on unit operations and practical approaches to both industrial and municipal water use, including disposal techniques. The book breaks down complex water treatment technologies into accessible sections, making it useful whether you’re a specialist or new to the field. This handbook is best suited for professionals managing water systems as well as students and policymakers seeking a solid technical foundation in water conservation and treatment.

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Best for hydraulic design engineers
Water Supply and Sewerage offers a detailed exploration of designing water and wastewater treatment systems, reflecting advances in technology and materials since its original publication. This text lays out foundational hydraulic concepts alongside newer computational techniques, making it a valuable resource for engineers seeking to enhance their design approach. Its methodical presentation addresses both water supply and sewerage infrastructure, providing practical frameworks for system planning and operation. This book’s enduring popularity stems from its balanced coverage of theory and applied engineering, making it a trusted reference for those involved in water resource management and infrastructure development.
Water Supply and Sewerage book cover

by Terence J. McGhee, E. W. Steel·You?

1991·602 pages·Water Supply, Wastewater Treatment, Hydraulic Networks, System Design, Computational Techniques

Terence J. McGhee and E. W. Steel challenge the conventional approach to water and wastewater system design by integrating advancements in technology and computation. You’ll learn how modern materials and new hydraulic network designs enhance system efficiency, alongside updated fundamental principles that underpin treatment processes. The book offers detailed insights into both water supply and sewerage systems, making it especially useful if you’re an engineer or student aiming to deepen your technical knowledge. Chapters covering hydraulic networks provide practical frameworks that bridge theory and application, though it’s best suited for those comfortable with engineering concepts rather than casual readers.

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Best for sustainable pump system builders
Hydraulic Ram Pumps offers a focused and practical approach to water supply challenges by detailing how to design, install, and operate hydraulic ram pump systems. This book stands out for its step-by-step instructions coupled with clear illustrations, making it accessible for those interested in sustainable and low-energy water delivery solutions. By highlighting a pump model suitable for local manufacture and customization, it addresses the needs of communities and professionals seeking affordable and environmentally conscious water supply methods. Its contribution lies in empowering readers to implement efficient systems without reliance on electricity or fuel, broadening the impact within water supply and rural development fields.
1992·144 pages·Water Supply, Hydraulics, Pump Design, System Installation, Energy Efficiency

While exploring the mechanics of hydraulic ram pumps, T. Jeffrey presents a clear guide on designing, installing, and operating these water supply systems. The book offers detailed illustrations and diagrams, along with practical notes for manufacturing pumps locally or customizing designs. You’ll learn how to harness water’s energy without electricity or fuel, making it especially relevant for sustainable water projects in remote or off-grid locations. This book suits engineers, environmentalists, and DIY enthusiasts aiming to implement efficient, low-cost water supply solutions rather than those seeking broad hydrodynamics theory.

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Best for personal water treatment plans
This AI-created book on water treatment is tailored to your specific goals and background in water purification. It focuses on the exact topics and challenges you want to explore, from filtration to contaminant removal. By concentrating on your unique needs, this book delivers focused knowledge that makes learning efficient and relevant. Instead of covering everything generally, it zooms in on what will help you improve your skills quickly and effectively.
2025·50-300 pages·Water Supply, Water Treatment, Water Quality, Purification Methods, Contaminant Removal

This tailored book explores water treatment with a focus on practical knowledge and application. It examines purification methods, water quality indicators, and treatment processes tailored to your interests and background. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this personalized guide reveals how various techniques work and how to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. The approach matches your specific goals, whether improving water safety, understanding filtration technologies, or managing contamination challenges. With an engaging, step-by-step plan, it helps you develop a solid grasp of water treatment essentials and advances your skills efficiently, making complex topics approachable and relevant to your objectives.

Tailored Guide
Water Treatment Insights
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Best for environmental engineering students
Elements of Water Supply and Waste-Water Disposal stands as a solid technical resource in the water supply field, reflecting decades of expertise from Gordon Maskew Geyer Fair. Its emphasis on the engineering principles underpinning water distribution and waste disposal systems addresses core challenges faced by professionals tasked with maintaining safe and efficient water infrastructure. The book’s methodical treatment of system hydraulics, treatment technologies, and sanitation practices makes it a valuable guide for engineers and environmental specialists seeking clarity in these complex areas. Its longstanding presence attests to its role in supporting the ongoing development and maintenance of water supply systems worldwide.
1964·Water Supply, Waste Disposal, Hydraulics, Water Treatment, Environmental Engineering

Gordon Maskew Geyer Fair’s extensive experience in engineering and water management shines through in this book, which takes a detailed look at the foundational elements of water supply and waste-water disposal. You’ll find practical insights on the design, operation, and maintenance of water systems that are crucial for professionals managing municipal or industrial infrastructure. While the text may lean towards technical readers, anyone involved in environmental engineering or public utilities will gain a clearer understanding of water treatment challenges and solutions. The book covers topics like system hydraulics and waste disposal methods with a methodical approach, making it a useful reference rather than a casual read.

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Best for environmental history readers
Great Waters: A History of Boston's Water Supply stands out as a focused exploration of a vital urban resource, tracing the city's water system development through detailed historical accounts. Published by Brandeis University Press, this book appeals to those seeking to understand the roots of urban water supply challenges and successes. Fern L. Nesson offers a clear narrative that sheds light on the interaction between engineering, policy, and public health in Boston’s evolving infrastructure. You’ll find it a valuable resource for grasping how historical decisions continue to influence water access and management today.
1983·116 pages·Water Supply, Urban Planning, Environmental History, Public Health, Infrastructure

Fern L. Nesson draws from her academic background at Brandeis University to trace the evolution of Boston's water supply in this concise 116-page history. You’ll uncover how the city’s water infrastructure developed over time, learning about key engineering projects and policy decisions that shaped access to clean water. The book offers insights particularly valuable if you’re interested in urban planning, public health, or environmental history. While it’s not a technical manual, the narrative contextualizes water supply challenges in a historical framework, making it a solid choice for those curious about how past solutions influence current water systems.

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Conclusion

This collection of seven books brings together proven methods, rich histories, and expert-backed insights that have helped countless professionals and enthusiasts understand and improve water supply systems. Whether you lean towards technical handbooks like The Nalco Water Handbook or prefer historical narratives such as Great Waters, these books offer validated approaches that stand the test of time.

If you're after established engineering principles, starting with Elements of Water Supply and Waste-Water Disposal and Water Supply and Sewerage will ground you in the essential science and design. For those intrigued by urban water development and policy, Water for Gotham and Great Waters provide compelling context and lessons.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Water Supply book that blends these proven strategies with your specific interests and experience level. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in tackling real-world water supply challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Water Quality and Treatment if your focus is on understanding essential water treatment processes. If you're interested in urban water history, Water for Gotham offers a captivating narrative. Your choice depends on whether you prefer technical guidance or historical context.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Water Supply?

Some books like Elements of Water Supply and Waste-Water Disposal lean technical, suited for engineering students or professionals. However, titles like Great Waters and Water for Gotham are accessible to newcomers curious about water supply history and challenges.

What's the best order to read these books?

Consider starting with history-focused books (Great Waters, Water for Gotham) to grasp context, then move to technical guides (Water Quality and Treatment, The Nalco Water Handbook) for practical knowledge. Specialized books like Hydraulic Ram Pumps can follow based on your interest.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick the book that best aligns with your current needs—whether it's technical know-how, historical insight, or sustainable solutions. Each book stands alone but reading multiple offers a well-rounded understanding.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Water Quality and Treatment and The Nalco Water Handbook emphasize practical water treatment and system management. In contrast, Great Waters and Water for Gotham provide theoretical and historical perspectives on water supply development.

How can I get Water Supply insights tailored to my specific goals or experience?

While these expert books cover broad, proven approaches, a personalized Water Supply book can focus directly on your background and objectives, blending popular methods with your unique needs. Check out creating a personalized Water Supply book to learn more.

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