Alleviating Water Shortage in the Southwestern United States

A Comparison of Potential Alternative Water Sources

Abstract

Over the last century, cities have grown dramatically, especially in the Southwest region of the United States. Managing natural resources, in particular, clean water supply has become a pressing problem for urban areas in arid and desert environments. Rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, more frequent and prolonged droughts have, and will continue to stress water supplies such as ground-water aquifers and rivers. Water supplies that have been manipulated and used to accommodate growing populations are predicted to run out soon. While change is slow due to the huge and interconnected systems that provide water to urban areas, it is imperative that humans find alternative water sources. These include solutions like desalination, treating of wastewater, and greywater recycling that allow for water supplies to be used over and over again while remaining local. Stormwater capture is also promising as it can be collected locally, be used to recharge groundwater, and prevent otherwise damaging overflow. Overall, swift action must be taken in the near future to ensure an adequate and sustainable water supply in the Southwest United States.