Is America in a Water Crisis?

Climate change, population growth, engineering, and pollution all play a significant role in the demise of freshwater quantity and quality in the US. We often hear about water appeals across the globe; however, the availability of clean water in America may be scarcer than we initially realize. In fact, the amount of water and its safety in various parts of the US are being called into question. This has been raised by environmental experts, who have all provided insights into the problems currently being faced by the country. 

Where is America’s Water Crisis?

It’s believed that the American West is in a water crisis, as determined by individuals who have been studying the effect of manmade stresses on the hydrologic cycle and the distribution of freshwater resources for as many as two decades. 

Over the past couple of years, the West has been experiencing record-high precipitation, resulting in drier and hotter conditions. To make matters worse, human-induced climate change is affecting the problem. 

That said, the American East is undergoing an entirely different experience. For instance, the area is experiencing more intense rainfall. While this isn’t a problem as far as the water supply is concerned, it can lead to flooding, which can cause problems for the infrastructure. 

Is the Growing Population the Problem?

Over the past seven decades, drinking water sources have barely shifted; however, the population has grown rapidly by as many as 190 million. Along with air conditioning came a huge increase in the population of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the water scarcity problem is coming from more people drinking water. Despite this, the bigger problem is that more people require more food, and this is what takes up the majority of the available water. For instance, Las Vegas currently has around 20 percent less water than it did in 2000; however, it has a million more people. 

Humans Need Food, and Food Needs Water

As previously mentioned, the growing demand for food is what has led to the impending water shortage. This is because 70 percent of the world’s freshwater is used to irrigate the plants and animals we eat. For instance, the average American has 32,911 glasses of water daily, and 96 percent of that water footprint comes from manufacturing clothes, generating energy, and growing the food we eat. Everyone can do their bit to help prevent the water crisis by conserving water as much as possible. This essentially means making smarter lifestyle choices.

How Much Does Human-Induced Climate Change Play a Role?

Since 2000, a number of reservoirs have lost roughly 60 percent of their contents, meaning they’re now around 25% full. While it’s true that we wouldn’t be here without climate change and that droughts are a normal part of the Earth’s cycle, megadroughts are not a positive advancement. This megadrought is caused by human activity, with the worst droughts of the 20^th century being nowhere near as detrimental as the worst droughts of the 21^st century. 

Warmer Air is Holding More Drinking Water Captive 

Although the West has seen record snowfall in the most recent winter, this moisture won’t necessarily go to the lakes and rivers. Instead, evaporation will take the newly fallen water back into the atmosphere. Quite simply, evaporation plays a significant role in the West’s water crisis. This is due to increasing temperatures, which take water directly out of the system. As a result, reductions in agricultural irrigation will need to be made to contain the seemingly ever-growing water shortages across the US.