Droughts, Water Shortages and the Threat To the United States

The availability of water has become a serious issue for most urban and rural regions in the United States, and the problem of drought related conditions is nearly certain to get worse in the future. This makes the need to increase water conservation and other drought mitigation measures all the more important on a local and national level alike.

Sources of Droughts and Water Shortages

While droughts have always been a factor in the use of water, a number of recent studies indicate that the US is entering a period where droughts will be more common, longer, and more severe in their impact. The current droughts in the western and southern parts of the United States are an example of growing severity of the drought problem. These droughts not only reduce the immediate sources of water, such as reservoirs and snow pack, but can also have a long-term impact on the water table.

However, this is only one part of the equation. Droughts are becoming more serious because of the spread of urban centers which have radically increased water usage levels across the nation. The booming populations of Phoenix and Las Vegas all demand large quantities of water, not just for themselves but for their lawns and industrial processes, which leads to an increase in water usage at the very moment droughts are limiting the water supply.

Mitigation of Drought Conditions

Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop a drought. The only measures that the United States can take are measures to mitigate the impact of droughts when and where they occur.

These include both personal and governmental water conservation measures, such as regulations limiting the use of water for lawn care or car washing, the requirement to install and use water efficient appliances such as low flow toilets and showers, and the development of a long-term mindset that prizes the conservation of water. Industrial water usage can also be curbed by mandating more effective water recycling techniques. Finally, the long-term development of effective desalinization techniques can reduce the dependency on snow pack and rainwater derived supplies.

The increasing frequency and severity of drought conditions demands that the United States prepare for the long-term process of water conservation and management. The ever-greater thirst of a growing population makes this issue one of the most important challenges to the continued economic well-being of America.

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