A new report from the Columbia University Water Center, in conjunction with Veolia Water and Growing Blue, reveals that businesses and cities in some of America's most iconic regions are now under even greater risk of water scarcity.
By utilizing a new water research metric called the Normalized Deficit Cumulated (NDC) index in the America's Water Risk: Water Stress and Climate Variability study, Columbia was able to estimate measures of water risk to the nation's major cities and agricultural regions.
Columbia developed the NDC as a risk metric for evaluating historical periods of drought, using more than 60 years of precipitation and the current water use pattern for U.S. counties. As a result, the NDC measurement tool reveals a more accurate depiction of the discrepancy between water use and water availability.
The U.S. metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C.; New York City; Los Angeles; and San Diego are of greatest concern, which could impact approximately 40 million Americans. Numerous counties in 46 states are also facing the same challenge of experiencing drought-induced shortages. Joining the metro areas on the list are the breadbasket regions of Nebraska, Illinois and Minnesota, which produce almost 40 percent of the nation's corn, a key ingredient in many of our foods and an essential feed source for livestock
The findings highlight the importance of "blue growth," a strategic approach to water management that ensures water remains an enabler of economic growth, not a limitation.
With the support of Veolia Water, the America's Water Risk: Water Stress and Climate Variability study was conducted by Columbia University's Water Center. The academic group develops projects to analyze water supply chains and examine particular sets of water issues with a long-term perspective, working on both policy and technical analyses.
Further underscoring the importance of this research, a recent survey by the World Economic Forum ranked water supply crises as the leading global risk when considering crisis likelihood and impact.
Click here for the 10 U.S. areas at greatest water risk in a dry season listed in order.
Source: Growing Blue
