A phenomenon known as a "heat dome" has been causing record-breaking temperatures across Mexico and is forecasted to extend into the southern and western United States during the first part of June 2024.

In Texas, many areas have already experienced temperatures that surpass 110 degrees.  One hundred-plus temperatures are also reported in the Central Valley of California, Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

However, these high temperatures are causing another problem, which may have a more significant impact over time.

The record-breaking heat has led to the evaporation of water at an alarming rate.  As this happens, it is likely to result in water shortages in many parts of the U.S.

Additionally, it can negatively impact the natural water cycle, altering precipitation patterns.  This can lead to prolonged dry spells in some areas of the country and excessive rainfall in others.

But wait, unfortunately, there's more.

Not only is evaporation happening in surface water storage areas, but it is also impacting underground water reserves. This is where most of the country, increasingly, is getting its water.  In California alone, more than 17 billion gallons of water are pumped out daily.  This is followed by Texas, which pumps about seven billion gallons of water daily. If this water is lost to evaporation, this will impact the entire country.

Localities will have to make heart-wrenching decisions as to who gets what water is available. Unfortunately, agriculture often gets the short end of the stick. Less water going to farmlands impacts food production, raises food costs, and inevitably leads to food shortages, a situation that should concern us all.

As to thinking this is a one-time event, we must think again. The planet is heating up; few can deny this today.  What many people do not realize is that this is happening at a faster rate than any scientific prediction model expected.

To address this situation takes a multi-faceted approach.  This includes the following:

Implementing conservation measures. These are measures taken temporarily as drought conditions worsen.  Consumers and businesses may be asked, if not required, to cut back on water use, not only to reduce consumption but to use the available water in other ways, for instance, farmland irrigation.

Implementing water efficiency measures. Water efficiency, a long-term approach to water management, focuses on using water more responsibly and reducing waste. This is different from water conservation, which involves temporary measures to reduce water use during droughts. For instance, an office building seeking to become more water efficient would likely replace older HVAC systems and boilers with systems that use either less water or have minimal evaporation. High-efficient toilets will be installed, and while low-flow urinals will be considered, more buildings are deciding to take the next step and install no-water or waterless urinals. These urinals cost less to select and install than flush urinals and to sweeten the pot, the return on the investment can be as quick as two years.

Developing sustainable water management programs. These programs are all about using water more responsibly and wisely. It's a big-picture approach encompassing everything we have just discussed, but it also includes reusing and recycling water, rainwater harvesting, and managing groundwater withdrawal. Currently, collecting underground water in the U.S. is essentially a free-for-all, where anyone can pump out as much water as they want.  

However, when it comes to preserving and protecting America's water supplies, the days of water free-for-alls are long over. It's depleting our water resources at a time when we need to take steps to preserve them more than ever before.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc., a pioneer in advancing water efficiency. Reichardt is a frequent author and presenter who discusses water conservation issues. He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com