FOREWORD

Being a river is not the only way to be a water leader. Likewise, being water is not the
only way to climb up to the clouds.

Prof. Cabrera, leader in water rites, and his team, have poured into XXI century's culture
their flood of experience and well performed and prestigeous work through this book
about Water Engineering. Even though we are used to their work, at the same time
serious, fruitful and steady, as University members we take great pride in their
contribution. When writing these lines, shortage of water is a problem both where it used
to be many years ago and where not too long ago, like the South of Europe, such a
worrying reality was unthinkable. Water has proved to be the most important ingredient
in the Society's development for its welfare upkeep under any acceptable socioeconomic
situation. In fact, water subject, far from being a consequence of an ecological global
analysis, has turned to be a real premise conditioning any other environmental action.
"Tell me how is your water and I will foresee your future" should be nowadays a
primary "Leitmotif" for a modern state. So, it is refreshing that Prof. Cabrera and his
team devote the best of their knowledge to the noble task of socializing the gift from the
clouds.

Justo Nieto
Chancellor
Valencia Polytechnic University

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