We have heard for decades or even centuries that some parts of the United States are running low on water. However, the water problem is worse than most people realize, especially in several large cities which are occasionally low on water and with certainty will face shortfalls in a few years. Apparently this is true if the change in global weather patterns has substantial change in rainfall amounts in some areas of the US.
24/7 Wall St. looked at an October 2010 report on water risk by environmental research and sustainability group Ceres. Another comprehensive July 2010 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council was considered, which mapped areas at high risk of water shortage conflict. With 24/7 Wall St. also researching its own analysis of water supply and consumption in the largest US cities, the goal was to identify potential conflicts in regions that might have disputed rights over large supplies of water and the battles that could arise from these disputes.
From these studies ten cities likely to face severe shortages in the relatively near-term future.
Listed below are the ten largest cities by population that have the greatest chance of running out of water.
10. Orlando, Fla.
Major Water Supply: Floridan Aquifer
Population (U.S. rank): 235,860 (80th)
Population Growth Rate: 26.8% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 48.35 in.
9. Atlanta
Major Water Supply: Lake Lanier, Ga.
Population (U.S. rank): 540,922 (33rd)
Population Growth Rate: 29.9% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 50.2 in.
8. Tucson, Ariz.
Major Water Supply: Local ground water
Population (U.S. rank): 543,000 (32nd)
Population Growth Rate: 20% since 2000
Average Annual Rainfall: 12.17 in.
7. Las Vegas
Major Water Supply: Lake Mead/Colorado River
Population (U.S. rank): 567,000 (28th)
Population Growth Rate: 18.6% since 2000
Average Annual Rainfall: 4.5 in.
6. Fort Worth, Texas
Major Water Supply: Multiple
Population (U.S. rank): 727,577 (17th)
Population Growth Rate: 36.1% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 34.01 inches
5. San Francisco Bay Area
Major Water Supply: Various, including Lake Hetch Hetchy
Population (U.S. rank): San Francisco: 815,359 (12th), Oakland: 409,189 (44th), San Jose: 964,695 (10th)
Population Growth Rate: 20% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 20.4 in.
4. San Antonio, Texas
Major Water Supply: Various ground water sources
Population (U.S. rank): 1,373,668 (7th)
Population Growth Rate: 20% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 30.24 in.
3. Phoenix
Major Water Supply: Colorado River Basin
Population (U.S. rank): 1,593,659 (5th)
Population Growth Rate: 21.2% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 8.3 in.
2. Houston
Major Water Supply: Jasper Aquifer, Lake Houston, Lake Conroe
Population (U.S. rank): 2,257,926 (4th)
Population Growth Rate: 15.6% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 53.34 inches
1. Los Angeles
Major Water Supply: Colorado River Basin
Population (U.S. rank): 3,831,868 (2nd)
Population Growth Rate: 3.7% since 2000
Average annual rainfall: 14.77 in.
Article edited by Shirlee McGarry® Realtor and freelance writer and published author who lives in Utah
Pictures - Fotosearch stock photos
Pictures - Fotosearch stock photos
Based on article By Charles B. Stockdale, Michael B. Sauter, Douglas A. McIntyre
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2 comments:
people just not understend the problem that our world finds himself in. over the years we (the humans) destroyed the environment and now we need to find solutions to fix it out, because if we keep acting like this our childerns won't have water.
I totally agree with you and it seems sad that more individuals to not heed the wake-up call before it gets too late. Why do you think the general public doesn't seemed to think that when we take something from mother earth, we also have to give back. You chop down a tree, you plan one or two trees in its place, etc. I fear for our future generations and when they have to deal with the BIG problems which perhaps might mean their very existence, I don't think they are going to look back at our generations with warm fuzzies. Thanks for your comment.
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