"Is any resource more vital and less understood than water? The Paradox of Water is eye-opening and mind-opening, helping us see what we otherwise might not see and also think about what we otherwise might not think about. As a civic educator looking for ways to make social issues accessible and engaging, I am thrilled to have a resource that illustrates the scientific, political, and personal implications of the elixir of life."--Sanda Balaban, Director, YVote/Next Generation Politics "Water may very well be the most important commodity of the future. In this book for readers of all backgrounds, the chemistry of water is detailed in an accessible manner along with historical and recent examples of water mistreatment. The book can serve in educational settings and as a contextual resource while it is also a call to action to protect our water."--Michael T. Wentzel, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Augsburg University "The very properties that make water essential for life provide the mechanism by which biological and chemical pollutants contaminate it, threatening human health and the health of ecosystems. This book will serve as a foundation text for any educator who wishes to dive into that very paradox while exploring topics such as access to clean water, how we reuse and repurpose water, how climate change and pandemics threaten our water supply, and how social, political, cultural, and economic factors all intersect when we consider the importance of water in our lives."--Davida S. Smyth, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Texas A&M University-San Antonio