The Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water

[Quicksilver]

Is your city on the list?

The Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water - 24/7 Wall St.

[FSETH]

Yes, #9. It seems strange to me that Lake Lanier has enough water for Atlanta, but we don't get dibbs on it seeing as Alabama and Florida need it as well. I feel the Atlanta area should be first with regard to priority and those other states second seeing as the lake is in Georgia. What really annoys me about it was that when we were on a strict no-water policy a few years back I remember seeing people running their lawn sprinklers in Alabama.

[AzNMpower32]

One thing they should do is increase the cost of water utilities and make it more progressive in the sense that heavy usage incurs a steep increase in cost/gallon.

For instance, Spotsylvania County VA (where we live) is one of those fast-growing counties with new (over)development with McMansions and new houses in the NW part of the county. What they've done for residential customers is just what I described above. The rate is really cheap for the first 2000 US gallons a month ($1,15), then it increases steeply in brackets so that if one uses more than 12000 US gallons, the rate skyrockets to $8,48/gallon. Ditto for the sewage fee, costs are similar.

In effect, the county charges those new, big houses with big yards more for water because the inherent water usage is much greater in an expensive, large house than the typical rural ranch house which dominates in the countryside.

Making water much, much more expensive for higher usage rates will (hopefully) induce owners to conserve water and not run their sprinkler systems 2x a day.

[E61Silver]

NYC has a strong water supply and is adding a additional water tunnel. Water rates have increased dramatically, but I guess it is worth it.

This project was stopped by a number of Mayors but Bloomberg is strong generally and does the right thing. I can remember when he banned smoking in bars and the bars were not happy. Today the attendance at bars seem fine and I (non smoker) am more likely to go to a bar.

[Weasel]

Where I currently live in Metairie they just treat/clean water right out of the Mississippi river, not the best but never ending supply really. And where I'm moving to in Tickfaw the city water is filtered artesian water, and the water bill is really really low. under $15 per month on average when using as much water as you can. (and I have the well working for backup if I ever want to stop using city water or there is a problem with city water) A friend and fellow BMW tech that lives up there's water bill was still under $30 when he filled up his pool! I guess in this aspect I'm glad to live in a place where I'm surrounded by water!

[Viperfreak2]

If Dubai can build big enough desalinization plants to get water, so can LA.

[E61Silver]

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

If Dubai can build big enough desalinization plants to get water, so can LA.

We should use natural gas from the USA and that way Dubai and all the other oil producers can go it alone.

[Quicksilver]

Not quite.

Dubai has way more money than LA.

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

If Dubai can build big enough desalinization plants to get water, so can LA.

[Meiac09]

this is one of the few "silver linings" to living in an isolated incest hole like Maine.
I think the desalination and water are going to become the new oil.

[Quicksilver]

Hey wait a minute.... After all these storms nobody ought to be short of water.

Heres a look at California. California's Water: Climate Watch | KQED Public Media for Northern CA