How climate change is affecting our access to clean water
Extreme weather events, like storms, fires, and flooding, are becoming more frequent and causing damage to our vital infrastructure systems
The recent Winter Storm Blair wreaked havoc across the mid-Atlantic, leaving a heavy path of snow and ice in areas not used to such weather events. It triggered flight disruptions, school closures, and power outages that lasted for days. The winter destruction caused multiple deaths and led to seven states declaring a state of emergency as the icy conditions made travel dangerous.
On the West Coast, wildfires have ravaged the greater Los Angeles area, burning upwards of 40,000 acres (and counting) and sending 80,000+ residents into evacuation. The devastation in the region will take years to rebuild and spark conversations about how to do so resiliently. In Arizona, it hasn’t rained in 138 days (and counting) and is on pace to be the third longest streak without rain in tracking history. Without the ability to replenish natural groundwater resources from rainfall, the state is facing a historic drought in the coming months.
The track of Winter Storm Blair. Image by NOAA.
Loss of power can mean days or weeks without clean water
Across the United States, people are losing power due to these catastrophic events and in turn, losing access to clean water. In Richmond, Virginia, the winter storms caused a power outage at a treatment facility that led to a pump failure. This caused flooding at the facility and ultimately the city had to issue a boil advisory to residents as they conducted water quality testing while the system got back online. Residents did not have clean water for days. In October 2024, hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages and water loss in Georgia, including in Atlanta where 1.3 million customers lost power.
Damage to our already fragile infrastructure due to climate change-caused weather events creates dangerous situations for millions of Americans and limits our access to clean water. When our water quality is compromised and natural resources are depleted, it exacerbates existing challenges while creating new ones. The cycle is seemingly endless.
Solutions to mitigate the impact
While climate change issues are directly affecting water resources and availability, there are solutions to help mitigate the impact we feel.
- Water recycling and reuse: Technologies like onsite water recycling systems can help maximize water efficiency and resilience.
- Improved infrastructure: Keeping sustainable design principles top of mind and considering the climate issues of the area will lead to more resilient buildings.
- Conservation efforts: Promoting efficient water use in agriculture, industrial, commercial, and single family homes helps preserve available resources. Implementing water smart appliances is an easy way to ensure minimal water use.
- Ecosystem restoration: Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and rivers can enhance water quality and availability. Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers, filtering pollutants and reducing the impact of extreme weather events.
- Policy and global cooperation: Effective water management policies, backed by international collaboration, are critical for addressing the overarching challenges of climate change. Governments, organizations, and communities must work together to share resources, knowledge, and innovative solutions.
Addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change and water access requires global cooperation and sustainable resource management. We all have a part to play if we want to see less impact on our water access in the future.
