States and Counties predicted to run out of water due to severe drought

[OCGuy]

I think sliding the xeriscaping incentive up along with water rates could make people move along more quickly to conserve. The economics will speak for themselves.

I don't think we need to give incentives. Increasing rates dramatically for fresh water usage, along with the "incentive" of not having to relocate should be a good start.

Any increase in your water bill for your showering, laundry, etc will easily be cheaper than the skyrocketing food bills that are imminent should this drought continue........

In Vegas you can only water your lawn on certain days, and they have enforcement that drives around and writes tickets to those who don't comply. I am not for that kind of intrusion, though.

 

[K1052]

I don't think we need to give incentives. Increasing rates dramatically for fresh water usage, along with the "incentive" of not having to relocate should be a good start.

Any increase in your water bill for your showering, laundry, etc will easily be cheaper than the skyrocketing food bills that are imminent should this drought continue........

In Vegas you can only water your lawn on certain days, and they have enforcement that drives around and writes tickets to those who don't comply. I am not for that kind of intrusion, though.

I'm generally not in favor of sheer rate increases as the only way to address the problem. Conservation programs and incentives should be part of the picture and are economically justifiable since the water authorities can avoid finding new supply which is far more costly.

Also, municipal conservation only gets us small part of the way. Finding better ways for the ag users to utilize water (since they use 80% of it) is even more important.

 

[Newell Steamer]

When you live in a country where pumping millions of gallons on water, mixed with toxic chemicals, into the ground to make some $$$ off of natural gas instead of transporting it to regions that are suffering from drought - you know you are in 'Murica.

 

[ElFenix]

Some areas of Texas are getting massive rain amounts, specially those that need it the most. Where I live we got 4" yesterday and a huge storm has dropped 1" to 2" more in the last hour or so and it looks like there's several hours of medium to light rain yet to come.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Storm-System-Brings-Heavy-Rains-Twisters-to-Texas-260705071.html

much of that is just running off into the bayous. need steady rain a few times a week to really get the ground hydrated.

In Vegas you can only water your lawn on certain days, and they have enforcement that drives around and writes tickets to those who don't comply. I am not for that kind of intrusion, though.

that sort of thing is necessary when you live in a true desert. it'd be nice if it didn't have to be that way but a few assholes have to ruin things for the rest of us.

 

[OutHouse]

When you live in a country where pumping millions of gallons on water, mixed with toxic chemicals, into the ground to make some $$$ off of natural gas instead of transporting it to regions that are suffering from drought - you know you are in 'Murica.

you watched vice didnt you.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

much of that is just running off into the bayous. need steady rain a few times a week to really get the ground hydrated.

It's also filling the reservoirs and lakes.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

Global warming is real, but the lack of water is not really due to Global warming.

CA has a lot of people, and not a lot of water sources. Simply put, there are too many people in CA for how they use water.

The issue is not the amount of people because all told suburban and urban dwellers consumer about 5% of water used in the California. The issue is the farming industry and how the state government has basically subsidized their water usage over the decades such that the practice of growing high value but water intensive crops has evolved in the state. Of course Most of these crops end being sold over seas to nation's like China as the majority of corps sold to consumers in California are actually from out of state/country crops. Hence a entire network of transporting water from the wetter parts of the state has evolved to deliver vast amounts of water to these naturally dry areas. However when the entire state faces a drought the issues of the scarcity of water comes home to roost. Believe it or not water usage for city and suburban dwellers has actually decreased as a whole over the decades.

 

[ElFenix]

It's also filling the reservoirs and lakes.

what reservoirs are in fort bend county?

at least the HoA won't have to use groundwater to fill the amenity lake in the Enclaves at Legend Forest Ranch Mission for the next week.

 

[K1052]

It's also filling the reservoirs and lakes.

The Houston metro reservoirs were already full. I think some are into their flood pool now.