Facing the worst drought in its history, Cape Town, South Africa is in danger of running out of its water supply. The crisis has officials in the U.S. pondering whether cities here could one day face a similar fate.
Cape Town has been monitoring the number of days to Day Zero, when the city’s supply would run dry, and has advised all residents to limit water consumption to 50 liters (13.2 gallons) a day. There are estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of humanity could be struggling with water shortages.
Three major U.S. cities—Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Miami—are considered high risk for a water shortage crisis. Los Angeles has been challenged by water shortages for much of its history, and a 2014 drought led city officials to instruct residents reduce water usage by 25% in 2015.
With temperatures rising, the mountains around Salt Lake City will receive less snow, which would decrease the flow of water from snow melt. In Miami, the problem is rising seawater leaking into, and contaminating, fresh water supplies above and below ground.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2020
Midtown Manhattan’s empty offices could be converted to affordable housing
Advocates envision idle offices re-zoned to alleviate housing crisis.
Codes and Standards | Nov 16, 2020
New concrete detailing manual includes downloadable CAD files
American Concrete Institute document contains guidance on codes for structural concrete.
Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2020
California rent control measure defeated
Golden State voters reject Proposition 21.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2020
NY court ruling makes it easier for condo boards to sue investors for construction defects
Investors would be tapped for damages on such cases.
Codes and Standards | Nov 10, 2020
Researchers and industry leaders will form national institute for AI in construction
Goal is to identify high-impact areas for application in design and construction.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2020
Jobsite injuries in New York City decline 20% since 2017
Safety training cited as a cause of improvement.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2020
Commercial building owners having tougher time securing insurance policies and renewals
Insurers’ fears of civil unrest in wake of election prompt builder’s risk coverage moratoriums.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2020
Turn rooftops into revenue generators with solar arrays
Lease or ownership models for PVs make more sense than ever.
Codes and Standards | Nov 3, 2020
The argument against gas stoves includes degraded indoor air quality
Asthma seems to be aggravated by cooking with flame.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2020
Wildfires can make drinking water toxic
Updated building codes could mitigate the danger.
