Conserving water is always a good idea — but in California it’s mandatory. Cities and towns have been ordered to stop using too much water. They have to do this because California and much of the western United States is in a drought.
Drought is caused by a lack of rain or snow over an extended period. It happens nearly everywhere and is a normal feature of our climate.
A drought can develop quickly and end quickly. But there are cases where droughts last a very long time, such as years or even decades. In the last 100 years there have been four major drought events. Two of these, the 1930s Dust Bowl drought and the 1950s drought, each lasted five to seven years and covered large areas of the continental United States.
Droughts are very hard on society. They can drive farmers out of business, making the fruits and vegetables you eat more expensive. Without adequate water, lakes and rivers can dry up — hurting places that depend on tourism and taking away your summer vacation spot. Even the electricity you use for your computer or TV can be more expensive — hydroelectric dams, like the Hoover Dam in Nevada, need water to operate.
Our environment can be impacted negatively by drought. It can destroy wetlands, which are home to many important plants and animals. Drought can also cause increased stress on animals, forcing them to migrate in search of a new water source.
Drought can be bad for your health, too. Without adequate rain, wildfires can develop in grasslands
and forests. Wildfires are fires that burn out of control through woods and brush. Wildfires can destroy homes and produce smoke that can make it difficult to breathe, particularly for the very young and very old, like your younger brother or sister or your grandparents. Wind is more likely to pick up dirt and dust when the land is exceptionally dry. Breathing in certain types of airborne dust can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Too little water can even lead to arguments between farmers, who need water for their crops, and people who live in cities and suburbs.
What can you do about drought? During a drought, it’s important to use less water. You can help by taking a five-minute shower instead of filling the tub for a bath. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and you can save up to four gallons a minute. Use a broom instead of a hose to help your parents clean sidewalks and driveways. Check around the house to make sure that faucets don’t drip. Simple steps like these will help conserve water.
Droughts are natural but can have negative consequences for both the land and for the people living and working in the affected area.
