With a Record Number of States Experiencing Drought, EPA Resources can Help Utilities Boost their Resilience

All but two U.S. states are currently experiencing drought conditions, according to NOAA’s Drought Information System. This means that drought “is present in every U.S. state except Alaska and Kentucky,” making it “the greatest number of states in drought in U.S. Drought Monitor history.” Several EPA resources and guidance documents are available to help water utilities prepare for drought conditions.

This state of affairs is due to a persistent weather pattern caused by a large “area of high pressure over North America [that] has limited rainfall across much of the country, with 100 weather stations across 26 states marking their driest October on record,” according to forecasters. High temperatures are only compounding these already-dry conditions, creating a series of “flash droughts” that have led to the widespread impacts seen this week. Many states and localities are already responding with drought watches, with New York City asking residents to reduce their water usage.

Amid these conditions, members are encouraged to assess their organization’s current drought procedures. Members should also consider consulting EPA’s Drought Resilience and Water Conservation page, which collects information and resources related to these topics, including a Drought Response and Recovery: A Basic Guide for Water Utilities and a Drought Incident Action Checklist. The drought guide offers worksheets, best practices, videos and key resources for responding to drought emergencies and building long-term resilience. It also relays lessons learned from nine small- to medium-sized utilities nationwide that have responded to extreme drought conditions. Access the drought monitor here, or read more at the Hill, or the New York Times.