According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the last decade has included some of the warmest years on record in the United States. During this time, large parts of the country experienced prolonged and severe droughts.
As more people move to these areas, municipal water supplies are under increasing pressure to meet the needs of growing populations, putting additional stress on already limited water resources. This is particularly problematic given that water scarcity can lead to significant economic, social and environmental impacts, including reduced agricultural yields, increased wildfires and diminished water quality.