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
To view complete article, click here
