"Tapping Into Water Shortage Solutions".

• Position: Local governments taking measures to avoid drought - Brief Article

Wade, Beth

American City & County, June 2000, pp. 45-58.

Local governments are spending more energy than ever to mitigate the potential effects of drought. This article explores contingency measures that water district planners have implemented in order to prevent major shortages. The author explains that water shortage can be avoided not only by reducing the public's demand for water, but also by expanding supply through consolidation of local reservoir networks, barring further investment in infrastructure. Water conservation efforts have been the most visible in the Western United States to this point, but the author argues that metropolitan areas everywhere need to plan for drought conditions. People generally increase water use during arid weather conditions and, absent any public education, can unknowingly turn minor drought conditions into major water shortages. Demand-side remedies, which are the easiest to implement, have included restricting outdoor water use...