With predictions of serious water shortage problems in the US around the corner, a new study compiled a “Top Ten Drought-Riskiest Cities.” The metropolitan areas were selected based not only on climate changes, but also human impact such as growing populations and outdated water infrastructures that fail to meet rising demands.
1. Los Angeles metropolitan area
2. San Diego metropolitan area
3. Oxnard-Thousand Oak, CA
4. Riverside, CA
5. Salt Lake City, UT
6. Nashville, TN
7. Chattanooga, TN
8. Birmingham, AL
9. Greenville, NC
10. Knoxville, TN
While desert and densely populated cities such as Los Angeles and Salt Lake City come as no surprise, some areas will raise eyebrows since they are in water-rich areas. Proximity to water is only one of many complicated factors in providing clean water to an area.
While coverage of the water crisis has recently grown, the problem has been developing for some time. Given the wide-spread implications, businesses will be part of the solution and facilities managers have many options and products at their disposal to do their part.