Ten American Cities Dying of Thirst (transplants, subdivision, live in)
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Very interesting. Water is a major issue and has been for some time. I do not see how we can keep importing people and still fight our water problems to any degree of fairness to the people that already live here in the US.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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It's a slow link, here are the cities listed (usual suspects, and surprisingly Texas cities..didn't know)...
10- Orlando, FL
9- Atlanta, GA
8- Tucson, AZ
7- Las Vegas, NV
6- Fort Worth, TX
5- San Francisco Bay, CA
4- San Antonio, TX
3- Phoenix, AZ
2- Houston, TX
1- Los Angeles, CA
Not that I'm doubting the data in this article at all, but when we lived in Phoenix a couple of years ago, you would never have suspected that there was a potential water shortage; people were watering their lawns copiously, the golf courses were greener than green, which in Phoenix means tons of daily watering, and people went about their business without seeming to have a care in the world about water supply. I did hear rumors of new subdivision projects being abandoned in the northern outlying suburbs, not only because of the housing market crash, but because it was discovered that the ground water wasn't sufficient to supply the population growth there, but other than that, it was an issue that never seemed to get much attention.
Fortunately for those of us who live in the Great Lakes Region, fresh water supply is the least of our worries. I wonder if we will see a reverse migration of people from the sunbelt states back to the Upper Midwest and Northeast as water supplies, which were probably somewhat precarious to begin with, dwindle with the mass influx of Northern transplants who don't want to shovel snow. Little did they realize when they fled this area that someday they may find themselves wanting that snow, or any other form of water, just to survive.
We're okay for the time being as our reservoirs are all over 100% of capacity. This past winter and even spring have been very wet.
Our biggest water source is the Sierra Snow Pack. That's what matters the most and right now, its excellent. In fact, it snowed again yesterday.
In fact a huge problem has been releasing excess water into rivers and streams...something I thought was insane. Why dont they have more catch basins that could accomodate that run off.
Also, Californians are generally good at heeding calls for conservation and water rationing.
But we can never be too boastful when it comes to water supply because there is no guarantee that next year will be as wet as the last.
Not that I'm doubting the data in this article at all, but when we lived in Phoenix a couple of years ago, you would never have suspected that there was a potential water shortage; people were watering their lawns copiously, the golf courses were greener than green, which in Phoenix means tons of daily watering, and people went about their business without seeming to have a care in the world about water supply. I did hear rumors of new subdivision projects being abandoned in the northern outlying suburbs, not only because of the housing market crash, but because it was discovered that the ground water wasn't sufficient to supply the population growth there, but other than that, it was an issue that never seemed to get much attention.
Fortunately for those of us who live in the Great Lakes Region, fresh water supply is the least of our worries. I wonder if we will see a reverse migration of people from the sunbelt states back to the Upper Midwest and Northeast as water supplies, which were probably somewhat precarious to begin with, dwindle with the mass influx of Northern transplants who don't want to shovel snow. Little did they realize when they fled this area that someday they may find themselves wanting that snow, or any other form of water, just to survive.
Yeah, Phoenix really knows how to waste water.
And The Great Lakes states can't afford to be wasteful with their water either. Although I know that around me we have only certain days when you are supposed to water your flowers/lawn, and the fact that it does rain means that we can water less. Also, less heat = less evaporation = less water usage.
I recall reading recently, that Las Vegas is paying any homeowners who are willing, to remove their grass lawns and replace their lawns with gravel or alternative surface.
I recall reading recently, that Las Vegas is paying any homeowners who are willing, to remove their grass lawns and replace their lawns with gravel or alternative surface.
That's better than nothing, but they should make it illegal to have grass. It's the desert after all!
Quote:
Originally Posted by blkgiraffe
They should really stop throwing Houston and Orlando in these list.
Why? I constantly hear things about these cities, especially Orlando's water problem.
That's better than nothing, but they should make it illegal to have grass. It's the desert after all!
Why? I constantly hear things about these cities, especially Orlando's water problem.
There water issues can easily be solved. They have plenty of water; they just haven't took the necessary actions to preserve it. We are not in the same boat as Las Vegas or Arizona cities. Besides, Houstonians have already disproved that whole Houston is running out of water nonsense.
Last edited by blkgiraffe; 05-26-2011 at 05:34 PM..
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