Strict water use rules sweep the nation ahead of summer

Dry enough for you?

With drought stretching from coast to coast, water restrictions are already in effect in many states even before the thirsty summer season begins. Indeed, more than 61% of the nation is now in a drought, the highest percentage in nearly four years, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

In all, 45 of 50 states are enduring drought, with only Alaska, North Dakota, Michigan, Connecticut and Rhode Island completely drought-free.

At the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center there, staff members are promoting reusing water from sources like humidifiers, leftover tea and water from boiled eggs, the Corpus Christi Caller Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Staff are hand-watering plants two to three times per week. 

One Arizona town is warning its residents could officially run out of water by July, Fox10 reported. Kearny, Arizona, home to about 2,000 people, is asking residents to conserve by 30%, meaning no car washes, watering your lawn or filling your pool. And if possible, shorter showers and fewer laundry days.

As drought conditions persist, cities and states around the country are implementing water restrictions and suggestions, from taking shorter showers to rules on how to wash your car. States impacted by recent drought regulations include Colorado, the Carolinas, Virginia, Texas, Florida and others.

Towns across the nation add rules on watering lawns, washing cars

In the Carolinas, people are learning to live with new water restrictions as drought conditions worsen, WSOC-TV Charlotte reports. On April 16, Charlotte Water announced it will implement voluntary restrictions on nonessential water use, such as watering your lawn or washing your car.

WSOC-TV said, "Water companies are asking customers to do their part in response to extreme drought conditions impacting much of the area. With little rain in the forecast and warmer temperatures ahead, these restrictions will be in place until further notice."

As severe drought conditions continue to persist across Colorado, many cities and municipalities have declared water restrictions to preserve limited water supplies, Colorado Public Radio said in an online report. Most are at least recommending voluntary restrictions, which generally include limiting outdoor watering, while others have enacted mandatory water restrictions, including fines, such as Denver Water. This comes after the worst snowpack on record ever for the state.

Caroline County, in eastern Virginia, announced April 16 that effective immediately, restrictions would be in place for residents who get their water from the public water system. Residents and businesses will have to use their automatic irrigation systems only on alternating days because simultaneous use has been overloading the county’s water storage and treatment capacity.  

In Corpus Christi, Texas, one of the communities in the state conserving water, officials implemented stage 3 water restrictions, which are enacted amid “urgent” drought conditions. Residents can’t water their lawns – except on designated days every other week using drip irrigation, handheld hose or small bucket. They must also cover their pools when not in use and can only use five gallons of water in buckets to wash their cars.  

Sarasota County, Florida, said its enforcement of lawn-watering violations is stepping up as well. The county usually gives warnings, but starting April 17, no warnings will be given before citations are issued. 

Drought rules impacting local businesses

In Raleigh, North Carolina, starting on April 20, the city of Raleigh will implement water restrictions for residents and businesses due to an ongoing statewide drought. Raleigh officials said the drought rules will include restaurants serving tap water only upon request. Hotels, motels and other accommodations will ask guests staying more than one night to reuse towels and sheets rather than washing them each day. 

How long will restrictions last? “No idea,” Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan told the News & Observer. “Unless we get some miracle rain in the next couple of weeks, we’re going to stay in stage one [restrictions].”

Several Florida communities are requiring water conservation of their residents or businesses. In Sarasota County, aesthetic fountains can run up to only four hours per day. Restaurants are serving water only on request.

Here's how you can help conserve water

Here is a sampling of some water-saving tips. Find more at Ready.gov:

Before a drought:

• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Fix dripping faucets and check all plumbing for leaks.
• Choose appliances designed for greater efficiency and performance.
• Plant drought-tolerant or native grasses and plants.
• Position your sprinklers to avoid paved areas.
• Cover pools and spas to reduce water evaporation.

During a drought:

• Take short showers instead of baths. Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
• Operate clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

Farms, AI data centers are among big water users

In Oregon, farmers, ranchers and some communities will face water restrictions this summer, experts told the Capital Press. “This is going to be a much shorter irrigation season with the water that’s available,” said Matt Warbritton, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supervisory hydrologist.

He added the stage was set for more prolonged and severe wildfires.

Larry O’Neill, Oregon state climatologist, told the Capital Press that grim conditions could serve as a call to action for policymakers, especially if economic impacts stack up. “This isn’t a garden variety dry year,” added O’Neill. “Basically, this is a test of our resiliency to a change in the snowpack and water supply.”

Drought can have a devastating impact on agriculture, which uses nearly half of all U.S. freshwater "withdrawals" – about 47% – mostly for crop irrigation, making it the nation’s largest water‑using sector, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Meanwhile, high tech data centers are also a big source of water use. Estimates show a single large data center can use up to a billion gallons of water a year, or as much as 2.7 million gallons a day during peak summer heat, according to WRAL-News in Raleigh.

"That's similar to the daily use of some entire towns and enough water to fill hundreds of swimming pools," WRAL said.

Artificial intelligence data centers are occasionally bound to local water restrictions, but in much of the country, they run with few limits even during water shortages. This is because most water and drought rules were enacted prior to the demand for AI‑scale cooling.