We have similar problems down here in Australia, but without the urgency of your situation thanks mainly to desalination. In Western Australia our only large city, Perth, gets 45% of its water supply from 2 x $1Billion desalination plants, with a third underway. Excess water produced from desalination is stored in our dams for future use. Whilst taking away water from current users is a difficult option it could be made more palatable if presented as a short-term solution whilst alternative supplies, like desalination plants, were developed for your major cities. You are going to have to do this anyway, so it might as well be now. Longer term solutions include treating waste water to drinking water standards then pumping into your aquifers to recharge them. Water tanks, and grey water plumbing from showers and washing machines (to water gardens) should be mandatory for approval of any new subdivisions.  Farm irrigators need to become much smarter in how they use water, and farmers can reduce water use by 80% just by growing appropriate crops under glass (it's been done here). Get smart with your water usage now and you give yourself more chance of being around long enough to make a difference.

We have similar problems down here in Australia, but without the urgency of your situation thanks mainly to desalination. In Western Australia our only large city, Perth, gets 45% of its water supply from 2 x $1Billion desalination plants, with a third underway. Excess water produced from desalination is stored in our dams for future use. Whilst taking away water from current users is a difficult option it could be made more palatable if presented as a short-term solution whilst alternative supplies, like desalination plants, were developed for your major cities. You are going to have to do this anyway, so it might as well be now. Longer term solutions include treating waste water to drinking water standards then pumping into your aquifers to recharge them. Water tanks, and grey water plumbing from showers and washing machines (to water gardens) should be mandatory for approval of any new subdivisions.  Farm irrigators need to become much smarter in how they use water, and farmers can reduce water use by 80% just by growing appropriate crops under glass (it's been done here). Get smart with your water usage now and you give yourself more chance of being around long enough to make a difference.

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