Part I. The Crisis. 1. Atlanta's prayer for water
2. Wealth and the culture of water consumption
3. Our thirst for energy
4. Fouling our own nests
5. The crisis masked
Part II. Real and surreal solutions. 6. Business as usual
7. Water alchemists
8. The ancient mariner's lament
9. Shall we drink pee?
10. Creative conservation
11. Water harvesting
12. Moore's law
Part III. A new approach. 13. The enigma of the water closet
14. The diamond-water paradox
15. The steel deal
16. Privatization of water
17. Take the money and run
18. The future of farming
19. Environmental transfers
20. The buffalo's lament
Conclusion : a blue print for reform
Epilogue : The Salton Sea.