The Water Action Guide

The Water Action Guide Prepared by the Green Associations Water Conservation Council

Drought Basics

The reality is that we can never exhaust our water supply, nor can we ever increase it—we can only recycle it. Our water emergencies would evaporate if homeowners and communities use water more efficiently and take advantage of the recycling technology that exists today.

What Causes Water Shortages?

Water shortages occur for many reasons:

weather
industrialization
urbanization
economic expansion
land use
development
preservation.

Not all causes are based on an actual shortage of water. In some cases development outpaces infrastructure. Homes and commercial structures are built, but local water service can’t keep up because of supply, treatment capacity or quantity of pipe and pumping stations. In other cases environmental concerns, regulations or legal decisions restrict the amount of water that can be used to serve an area’s population.

Mechanical and structural shortcomings also cause water shortages. A main pump or pipe breaks, and water temporarily stops flowing into homes and businesses. In older water distribution systems, more than 50% of treated water can be lost through major leaks.

What Are the Effects of Drought?

Drought, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), causes annual economic losses of $6 billion – $8 billion, more than the losses caused by floods ($2.41 billion) or hurricanes ($1.2 billion – $4.8 billion).
Using recycled water (treated to almost drinkable standards) on landscaping would save this country enough fresh water in a year for everyone in New York City to take a 10-minute shower every day for 4.5 years.
Loss of revenue to green industry businesses due to delayed landscape projects and reduced retail sales.

Find Out More About Drought in Your Area

Additional Resources:

Web Sites
— National Drought Policy Commission.
(www.fsa.usda.gov/drought/)

— National Drought Mitigation Center.
(www.drought.unl.edu/index.htm)

— Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
(www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/drouhome.htm)

— National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
(www.drought.noaa.gov/)

— “Drought: A Handbook for Prevention.” The Irrigation Association (IA).
(www.irrigation.org)

— “Water Right: Conserving Our Water, Preserving Our Environment.” Turfgrass Producers International (TPI).
(www.TurfGrassSod.org)