Americans use twice as much water as Europeans do and pay half as much for it. Low fees lead many Americans to take their abundant supplies for granted. Globally, most water is used for irrigation purposes, but in the US, thermoelectric generation requires more water. “During an economic recession, protecting water supplies takes a back seat to industries that promise jobs,” notes journalist Susan Froetschel. “Anti-government fervor dangerously coincides with industry resistance to government protections.” The small not-for-profit water industry is highly fragmented, with tens of thousands of waterworks under state and local jurisdiction and a hodgepodge of laws that can only lead to shortages and conflicts. Severe drought throughout the South already strains groundwater supplies. Conservatives express anxiety about dependence on foreign oil supplies, yet show little concern about the future of water supplies. The United States could be making a mistake prioritizing energy production over protection of its water supply.
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