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damnedifIknow

(3,183 posts)
Sun Oct 11, 2015, 11:18 PM Oct 2015

California isn’t the only state with water problems

Americans tend to take it for granted that when we open a tap, water will come out.

Western states have been dealing with water problems for a while, but they won't be alone for long.

As drought, flooding, and climate change restrict America's water supply, demands from population growth and energy production look set to increase, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

These two changes squeeze our natural water reserves from both directions. The stress is becoming clear and will soon manifest as water scarcity problems all over our country.

While the rest of the US hasn't been ordered to reduce water use, that doesn't mean we have a free pass to use as much water as we want. Many states — 4o out of 50 according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office — have at least one region that's expected to face some kind of water shortage in the next 10 years.




By 2030, nearly half of everyone in the world will be living in countries highly stressed for water, according to UN predictions. Bank of America Merrill Lynch reports that water scarcity is our biggest problem worldwide, and projects that climate change will only make it worse."

http://www.businessinsider.com/americas-about-to-hit-a-water-crisis-2015-4

46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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California isn’t the only state with water problems (Original Post) damnedifIknow Oct 2015 OP
And UT and ND only look good because so few people live there. n/t pnwmom Oct 2015 #1
With water a problem perhaps not having anymore come to the country might be wise yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #2
anti immigration position too? CreekDog Oct 2015 #8
Not leaving the taps open works well. Carpeting takes a huge Hortensis Oct 2015 #40
Thinking a good possibility of water wars in the future. damnedifIknow Oct 2015 #3
How do you know that? Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #4
It is common knowledge that the population of UT and ND is low. If millions pnwmom Oct 2015 #9
That is a really weird way of looking at things. Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #11
North Dakota is one of the driest states in the US, with only 17 inches a year. pnwmom Oct 2015 #13
Rainfall is not the only parameter. Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #17
It's not my map and I agree that it can be misleading. But the overall truth is clear: pnwmom Oct 2015 #19
Doesn't the maps show states that Jim Beard Oct 2015 #24
Seems to be logical. hughee99 Oct 2015 #18
That is what they said about Arizona former9thward Oct 2015 #16
Ummmm, no. They were right. tabasco Oct 2015 #34
The New York Times has been saying this about the SW since about 1900. former9thward Oct 2015 #41
The New York Times is reporting what experts in Arizona are saying tabasco Oct 2015 #43
Their "experts". former9thward Oct 2015 #44
LOL. Yeah, it's a big conspiracy by the NYT and respected scientists tabasco Oct 2015 #45
What "respected scientists"? former9thward Oct 2015 #46
This message was self-deleted by its author tabasco Oct 2015 #42
FYI, Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #5
Not just a few Southwestern Counties in Minny, Wellstone ruled Oct 2015 #6
I grew up in SW Minnesota and am interested in their ground water issues. Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #10
Ask yourself this and in that lies your answer.. Wellstone ruled Oct 2015 #27
Lots of irrigation systems out there to water the corn and soy these days. nt NickB79 Oct 2015 #33
I haven't seen many of them in my home county. Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #38
Time to invest in rain barrels. Binkie The Clown Oct 2015 #7
Depends on Ichigo Kurosaki Oct 2015 #31
well, Binkie The Clown Oct 2015 #32
I agree. ;-) [nt] Ichigo Kurosaki Oct 2015 #39
thanks to our politicians, Nestle will have all the water we want to buy nt msongs Oct 2015 #12
Yup. n/t pnwmom Oct 2015 #15
If you look at some of the lawns/landscapes you can tell Republis ffr Oct 2015 #29
There will always be enough to sell. Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2015 #14
Huge kick! Quackers Oct 2015 #20
We may all become "Watneys" from The Martian on planet Earth. n/t SleeplessinSoCal Oct 2015 #21
In my neck of the woods, a desalination plant will soon be operating: pablo_marmol Oct 2015 #22
Michigan's problems don't seem to be with water itself Kaleva Oct 2015 #23
Underground water in the Great Plains states has been Jim Beard Oct 2015 #25
kick, kick, kick.... daleanime Oct 2015 #26
Enjoy today, because it's going to feel like paradise by comparison to 2030 ffr Oct 2015 #28
Here's the problem with putting firm timlines around predictions B2G Oct 2015 #30
We never should have settled the West as we did in the first place. bluedigger Oct 2015 #35
lets hope we are not as dumb as we look dembotoz Oct 2015 #36
Water, here in the Alaskan Interior, is a gift. raven mad Oct 2015 #37
 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
2. With water a problem perhaps not having anymore come to the country might be wise
Sun Oct 11, 2015, 11:31 PM
Oct 2015

Discussion on children might be wise too. Of course some will scream how awful that is and it probably is. But the alternatives are worse.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
40. Not leaving the taps open works well. Carpeting takes a huge
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 07:37 PM
Oct 2015

amount of water, so use less carpet. Same for beef. Multiply those by many frivolous items we could cut back painlessly. We'll start catching and cleaning much of the rain water we now channel into gutters to just run off to the oceans.

No need to send ourselves into a ferocious national decline by cancelling immigration. As for children, last I looked the middle class was having about 1.67 children per couple and is aging, so too many children is not the problem and the reason just cancelling immigration would be disastrous. The ship of state would need more time than many of will be alive to make that turn safely. Also, today's massive refugee flows are just the beginning.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
9. It is common knowledge that the population of UT and ND is low. If millions
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:23 AM
Oct 2015

of people moved there in search of water, the water wouldn't be sufficient to support them.

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
11. That is a really weird way of looking at things.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:32 AM
Oct 2015

I don't know I that North Dakota has a lack of water or aquifers. I do know that it is one of the states that has been growing the fastest in population, although that rate has been slowing a bit lately.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
13. North Dakota is one of the driest states in the US, with only 17 inches a year.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 01:14 AM
Oct 2015

And it's 1,000 miles away from the nearest large body of water.

But the water there is sufficient to support the approximately 740,000 people that now live there.

It would not be a good state for millions of people to flee to, hoping for more water.

So again, that map showing adequate water for UT and ND depends on those states continuing to have low populations. The amount of water there wouldn't support the population density we have along the coasts or in other major metropolitan areas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_North_Dakota

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
17. Rainfall is not the only parameter.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 01:28 AM
Oct 2015

How do you explain Devil's Lake?

I am not suggesting North Dakota has a water surplus. I am only saying your map is an over simplification of the water issue.

Like I said, in most of Minnesota there is not a shortage of water for people to use.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
19. It's not my map and I agree that it can be misleading. But the overall truth is clear:
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 01:39 AM
Oct 2015

we are facing significant water shortages due to climate change. Even the states that appear to have enough water might not, if their populations grow.

hughee99

(16,113 posts)
18. Seems to be logical.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 01:29 AM
Oct 2015

I wonder if any of the other states are in the opposite situation, where their water projects to be insufficient based on current population growth rates, growth rates that may be affected if water begins to become more scarce.

 

tabasco

(22,974 posts)
34. Ummmm, no. They were right.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 05:02 PM
Oct 2015
Arizona Could Be Out of Water in Six Years

Prolonged drought and a rapidly expanding population are pushing Arizona's water system to its limit


Arizona is bone dry, desiccated by the worst drought ever seen in the state's 110-year long observational record. The Grand Canyon State has been in drought conditions for a decade, and researchers think the dry spell could hold out for another 20 to 30 years, says the City of Phoenix.

That people have not been fleeing Arizona in droves, as they did from the plains during the 1930s Dust Bowl, is a miracle of hydrological engineering. But the magic won't last, and if things don't start to change Arizona is going to be in trouble fast, says the New York Times.


http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/arizona-could-be-out-water-6-years-180951814/?no-ist

former9thward

(31,798 posts)
41. The New York Times has been saying this about the SW since about 1900.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 07:47 PM
Oct 2015

Because, well they are in New York which is pretty far from AZ and they like to think they know it all. They don't. AZ is not going to run out of water in 6 years or 60 years. There are no water restrictions here. AZ has 3 trillion gallons of water stored in underground containers. Does CA even have a gallon stored? AZ residents are not fleeing AZ but CA residents are fleeing CA and coming to AZ.

 

tabasco

(22,974 posts)
45. LOL. Yeah, it's a big conspiracy by the NYT and respected scientists
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:00 PM
Oct 2015

to make Arizona look bad, dating back to 1900.

No doubt there, anonymous Internet poster.

Response to tabasco (Reply #34)

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
5. FYI,
Sun Oct 11, 2015, 11:42 PM
Oct 2015

the water scarcity problem in Minnesota is only in a few southwestern counties in the prairie region of the state. They rely on ground water almost exclusively. The rest of the state has no real shortage of water.

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
6. Not just a few Southwestern Counties in Minny,
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:06 AM
Oct 2015

it is all about Ground Water Contamination and in that lies the new problem. Most of the State has issues with Fertilizer or Feed Lot Contamination issues looming on the Horizon. Your State EPA is failing in their Agency Charter,if you think not,well head out to the Hog and Turkey Operations in your area,try a overnight camp out,you will find out what I speak.

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
10. I grew up in SW Minnesota and am interested in their ground water issues.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:28 AM
Oct 2015

Do you have any links to the issue of ground water contamination?

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
27. Ask yourself this and in that lies your answer..
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:56 AM
Oct 2015

Why do you have a extensive rural water supply system? First pipe was laid along HYW 30 in the early 60's from Pipestone to Darfur St James area. Second line is along HWY 14 From the SoDak Border to Near New Ulm. Third line follows HWY 19 and the fourth line follows HYW 212. Interesting,yes,these originate in the Feens of Eastern SoDak or as we know it,the West side of the Buffalo Ridge. Our relies in Brown County lost their entire Hog herd in the middle 60's due to Nitrogen contamination of their well water. And just this past Summer,County and City Big shots are finally recognizing they have a major ground water contamination issue in Redwood County as well as Renville County. Not just Fertilizer but Hog Barn Lagoon run off into the Minnesota River. The State EPA Workers are very cautious as to what they will tell you about the real truth is due to recrimination by certain State Legislators as one put it to us this past summer.

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
38. I haven't seen many of them in my home county.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 06:50 PM
Oct 2015

I guess there is still enough rainfall for decent crops. They look good this year.

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)
7. Time to invest in rain barrels.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:07 AM
Oct 2015

And a water filtration system.
And drought resistant landscaping.
And any other way you can think of to conserve water in the home.

Ichigo Kurosaki

(167 posts)
31. Depends on
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 03:53 PM
Oct 2015

where you live, quite a few places the people do not 'own' the rain water that falls on their property........

ffr

(22,644 posts)
29. If you look at some of the lawns/landscapes you can tell Republis
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:00 PM
Oct 2015

from their lush lawns, whereas everyone else has cut back.

Being a denier seems to mean that participating in voluntary water cutbacks is something for other people.

Quackers

(2,256 posts)
20. Huge kick!
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 01:58 AM
Oct 2015

This is a huge problem that no one wants to address. There is no "in the future". The shortages are real and they are now.

pablo_marmol

(2,375 posts)
22. In my neck of the woods, a desalination plant will soon be operating:
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 04:35 AM
Oct 2015
http://carlsbaddesal.com/desalination-plant

I haven't done any serious research on the environmental impact of desal plants, or their effectiveness. I know that they require a great deal of power to operate - but we might be at the point where price is much less of a concern than it's been in the past.

Need to put some study into this.

Kaleva

(36,145 posts)
23. Michigan's problems don't seem to be with water itself
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 06:06 AM
Oct 2015

Reading the report and other articles related to shortages in the state, the problems seem to be more about deep freezes during winter in the northern part of the state freezing water mains, old water mains breaking and algae blooms in Lake Erie which affect citizens of Monroe County in South-East Michigan.

 

Jim Beard

(2,535 posts)
25. Underground water in the Great Plains states has been
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:08 AM
Oct 2015

dropping for years. In Texas, it is only the Panhandle, south plains region.

ffr

(22,644 posts)
28. Enjoy today, because it's going to feel like paradise by comparison to 2030
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 11:58 AM
Oct 2015

Too many human consumers. Earth's carrying capacity for us is beyond its limits.

 

B2G

(9,766 posts)
30. Here's the problem with putting firm timlines around predictions
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 12:06 PM
Oct 2015

In the 2003 report, they stated that in 10 years, 36 states would be facing significant shortages.

In the 2013 report, they state that little had changed since 2003, but now the year is 2030.

People start to ignore the warnings after too many false calls.

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
35. We never should have settled the West as we did in the first place.
Mon Oct 12, 2015, 05:15 PM
Oct 2015

John Wesley Powell warned about oversettlement and sustainability of Western communities in the 19th century. And right after he died Congress started a massive western dam construction era and reallocated all the water out of it's watersheds. A great plan, right up until it fails.

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