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Communities and Drought
Many communities are finding that providing adequate water
supplies for growing populations can be a real challenge. The
challenge is increased when communities face drought in addition
to increasing water demands. As cities, counties, states and
regions across the country deal with water shortages, they have
come up with a number of different approaches to the issue.
While some communities have taken a policy approach, limiting
development based on proof of available water supplies, other
communities have turned to creative conservation and efficiency
incentives as a means of extending current supplies. Recognizing
that water scarcity is likely to recur, some communities have
put an emphasis on planning for drought before it happens, in
order to mitigate its effects.
This page offers a portal to current news items and events
relevant to how communities deal with drought. It also provides
links to online information resources that can help communities
plan for and cope with drought conditions, as well as examples
of programs from communities that have successfully dealt with
drought. Examples of codes and ordinances that address water
scarcity can also be acccessed here. For more general information,
see the Water
Efficiency section of this website. Links to more information
on Communities and Drought appear in the following sections:
Recent News Headlines
Water Planning Past Due, Town Hall Warns (AZ)
Drought shrinking jewels of the desert
Proposal:
No water, no rural growth (AZ)
Got
Water? Report Recommends Solutions for Businesses to Address
Water Scarcity (CA)
Cooperation from Public Eases Impact of Drought (AZ)
Regional Response to Climate Studied (OR)
Water Shortfall Worries Raised (NM)
NASA: Why so Dry?
Water Conservation Could Boost Aquifer (AR)
Paso Robles Starts Water Conservation Campaign (CA)
Neighborhoods to Battle for Conservation Prize (NM)
Governor Calls on Utahns and State Agencies to Conserve Water (UT)
Utility Joins Drought Readiness List (SC)
A
New Kind of Water Park (MI)
USGS
Report: America’s Thirst Remains Stable
Federal Official Says West Water Woes Likely to Continue
(NV)
State
Task Force Discusses Water Conservation (TX)
NCSE Conference Focuses on Water Sustainability and Security
(DC)
Additional news on water conservation is available through links and archives on Water Conserve - Water Conservation Portal.
Events
Maine Water Conference, March 22, 2005, Augusta, Maine
Water Management and Policy in the Great Plains: Implications of Drought and Climate Change, April 7-8, 2005, Lincoln, Nebraska
Water Resources Management 2005, April 11-13, 2005, Algarve, Portugal
Fifteenth Tennessee Water Resources Symposium, April 13-15, 2005, Montgomery Bell State Park, Tennessee
Bridging the Water Gap, April 15-17, 2005, Hopkins, Minnesota
2005 Florida Water Resources Conference, April 24-27, 2005, Jacksonville, Florida
2005 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 25-27, 2005, Athens, Georgia
World Water and Environmental Resources Congress, May 15-19, 2005, Anchorage, Alaska
American Water Works Association's (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition, June 12-16, 2005, San Francisco, California
Managing Watersheds for Human and Natural Impacts: Engineering, Ecological, and Economic Challenges, July 19-22, 2005, Williamsburg, Virginia
Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference, July 30 - August 4, 2005, Rochester, New York
Information Resources
Freshwater
Resources: Managing the Risks Facing the Private Sector
This research paper of the Pacific Institute outlines key trends in water use
and availability, the resulting new risks to businesses, and strategies companies
can take to reduce the risks they face.
Water 2025: Preventing
Crises and Conflict in the West
This U.S. Department of the Interior initiative aims to
foster public discussion regarding competing uses of water and
provides a framework and tools for meeting water supply challenges
in the future.
Best
Practices in Natural Hazards Planning and Mitigation
The Colorado Governor's Office of Smart Growth issued this report
that offers Colorado communities growth, drought and fire prevention
ideas that have been implemented by other communities in the
state. The report details approaches that local governments
can take to prevent and mitigate the impacts of fires, floods,
and drought. The complete publication is available online as
a PDF file.
National
Drought Mitigation Center
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) helps people and
institutions develop and implement measures to reduce societal
vulnerability to drought. The NDMC stresses preparation and
risk management rather than crisis management.
National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's Drought Information Center
This NOAA site includes a drought monitor, soil moisture monitoring
information, hazards assessment, links to state drought information,
and lots of background information on drought.
National
Water and Climate Center
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides information
on water and climate at this website, including water supply
forecasts and snowpack data. Water conservation information
related to irrigation and salinity is also offered.
WaterWiser: The
Water Efficiency Clearinghouse
This American Water Works Association program provides a wealth
of information and links related to water conservation, including
a section on drought.
EPA
Water Use Efficiency Drought Management Page
This website offers links to information on drought planning,
and water efficiency information by sector.
Smart
Water: A Comparative Study of Urban Water Use Efficiency Across
the Southwest
A report by Western Resource Advocates provides a detailed snapshot
of current water use in major cities across the region as well
as recent trends in water uses, conservation and efficiency
programs, water system leaks, water rate structures, and unmet
potential in over a dozen cities.
Waste
Not, Want Not: The Potential for Urban Water Conservation in
California
A report on urban water use in California released by the Pacific
Institute says the largest, least expensive, and most environmentally
sound source of water to meet California's future needs is the
water currently being wasted in every sector of our economy.
North
Dakota State University Extension Service - Coping with Drought
This site provides information on a variety of topics related
to crop and livestock production during dry weather, such as
insect pests, weeds and herbicides, feeds and feeding, economic
concerns, and foraging and grazing. Horticulture, financial
concerns, stressful family situations, and drought services
are also addressed.
Drought
Preparedness and Response Strategies for Farmers (PDF)
The University of Wisconsin-Extension published this drought
disaster handbook for extension agents.
Drought:
Fact Sheet on Water Conservation
The American Red Cross developed this fact sheet that provides
water conservation information for individuals.
Municipal
Research & Services Center of Washington (MRSC)
The MRSC's Drought Management section provides a comprehensive
view of drought preparation, covering such topics as energy
conservation, emergency fireworks regulations, and emergency
water use restrictions. Several sample ordinances are included.
Texas
Guide to Rainwater Harvesting (PDF)
A publication prepared by the Texas Water Development Board
and the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems takes
an in-depth look at the basic principles of rainfall collecting.
Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources Drought Site
This site focuses on news and resources related to the impacts
of drought on agriculture in Nebraska.
Linking
Growth and Land Use to Water Supply
This article published in the April 2003 Land Lines newsletter
from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy provides a brief review
of alternative policy options to link land use and water supply,
and offers some suggestions for further research, education
and policy development.
Water and Growth in Colorado
From the Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, this document identifies an extremely diverse and complex set of water law and policy issues associated with growth in the state, and describes potential solutions.
WaterWise Landscaping Best Practices Manual (PDF)
Developed for towns on Colorado's Front Range, the manual is tailored to a specific location and climate, but offers a model for similar publications.
Success Stories
Casa
del Agua--Tucson, Arizona
This "House of Water" showcases water conservation
features for a typical home. It uses less than half the municipal
groundwater used by a comparable home in Tucson.
Industrial
Water Conservation
Hosted by North Carolina's Division of Pollution Prevention
and Environmental Assistance, this site profiles companies that
are conserving water, improving the efficiency of their processes,
and saving money by doing so.
Mississippi
Delta Irrigation Water Management Project--Missouri
Field-scale demonstrations of irrigation best management practices
show that irrigation efficiency leads not only to water savings
but also to reduced runoff of agricultural pollutants.
Mitigation
Tools for States--Illinois, New York, Washington, Arizona,
and South Carolina
The National Drought Mitigation Center offers case studies from
five states that illustrate drought mitigation strategies and
actions.
Save
Water and Energy Education Program: SWEEP--Lafayette
and Wilsonville, Oregon
SWEEP was designed to maximize water and energy savings in two
of Oregon's fastest-growing communities and to serve as a model
for other communities seeking an integrated approach to resource
efficiency.
Southern Nevada
Water Authority--Las Vegas, Nevada
This regional water authority offers several water conservation
programs, including public education, a Water Smart Contractor
program, and incentives for switching landscaping to xeriscapes.
Sustainable
Use of Water: California Success Stories
This collection of case studies by the Pacific Institute highlights
succesful examples of collaborative water planning, intelligent
use of technology and economic incentives, and effective institutional
and government structures related to water use.
Teaming
up for Wise Water Use at Hirschfield Towers--Denver,
Colorado
Denver Water and Denver Housing Authority installed low-flow
toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads in Hirschfield Towers,
improving the lives of low-income residents and reducing water
use for the complex by 22 percent.
Water
Conservation Program--Albuquerque, New Mexico
Since this program was implemented in 1995, Albuquerque has
saved the equivalent of a two-year supply of water for the city,
and residential customers have reduced their usage by 30%.
Water Smart--Texas
A joint initiative of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission, the Texas Water Development Board, and local water
utilities, this education campaign offers guides on indoor and
outdoor water use, and information on water utilities.
Codes and Ordinances
Water Efficient Landscape Design Model Ordinance, Colorado (PDF)
A model landscape ordinance for Colorado's communities,
utilizing a water conservation-oriented planning approach.
Water
Conservation Code, City of Mesquite, Nevada
This code addresses devices used in both residential and commercial
construction, and prohibits sale of non-conforming fixtures.
No
Water Waste Ordinance, City of Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica's ordinance prohibits various wasteful water-use
practices.
Water
Conservation Ordinance, No. 1316, City of Gilbert, Arizona
This ordinance addresses water usage and landscaping in new
developments, places limitations on new water features, and
requires the submission of "Water Use Plans" for some
non-residential developments.
Drought
Ordinance, City of Phoenix, Arizona
This ordinance outlines the city's drought management response
procedure.
Model
Drought Ordinance, South Carolina
The South Carolina Drought Response Program developed this model
ordinance.
2003
Drought Response Plan, City of Longmont, Colorado
The purpose this plan is to anticipate, identify and respond
to the continuing severe level of drought in Longmont's local
watershed.
State
Drought Plans
The National Drought Mitigation Center maintains this list of
links to state drought plans and related documents.
Water
Shortage Response Handbook, North Carolina
This handbook, available online, offers communities guidance
on developing effective water shortage response ordinances.
Last updated: February 25, 2005
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