Sample Proposal #2 (Course: Principles of Environmental Engineering) 1.1 2007/11/13 11:36:43.882 US/Central 2008/04/23 10:12:11.882 GMT-5 Cain Project cainproject@mailman.rice.edu Cain Project cainproject@mailman.rice.edu Engineering Communication This is a sample proposal adapted from an actual student submission. Fresh water issues are becoming more prominent today. As sources of fresh water dry up, the potential for conflicts (i.e., wars) over water resources is likely to increase in the twenty-first century. Currently, the Southwest region of the United States recognizes the necessity for fresh water because the region simply has very little water. Furthermore, a drought has been affecting the region since 2002. This drought forced the region to implement stringent water conservation efforts and focus on policies for water reclamation in the future. We will look at three case studies in the Southwest region: Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

Methods To examine the water politics in each region, we will primarily consult the Internet to find utility reports, government write-ups, and news articles. We will be looking for any information that tells us about the policies in place to govern water management in these regions. Our paper will discuss the following aspects of each region: Demographics (population, climate) Water sources Water management challenges Water management policies [timeline omitted, as deadlines for this assignment are still unknown]