Coming soon...
To a state near you???
Mismanagement, corruption, and just plain stupidity have brought the nation of Iran to the doorstep of utter catastrophe. This, according to an extensive report by the Middle East Forum on Iran’s “terminal” water crisis.
“Thirst of a Nation: Iran’s Water-Driven Trajectory Toward State Failure and a Blueprint for Recovery” details more than 40 years of mismanagement and corruption by Iran’s clerical elites that have led to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian calling for relocating the nation’s capital city, Tehran, due to the municipality approaching “Day Zero” water conditions.
“The foundational condition is one of ‘water bankruptcy’—a permanent, structural deficit where national water demand far outstrips renewable supply,” write the authors of the report, Guy Goldstein and Rebecca Bar-Sef.
Full article, HERE from PJ Media. Text of the report, HERE.
Even worse, the lack of water is impacting the hydro electric production, causing brownouts and blackouts nationwide. And this also impacts pumping stations that are supposed to move the water.
Israel, on the other hand, achieves water security through desalination and recycling, and a LOT less corruption. The Saudis are also working a water security plan similar to Israel’s with a goal of water security by 2030.
We’re starting, or I should say ‘continuing’ to hear about shortages of water here in the US too...
A subdivision in Arizona that is basically abandoned because they can’t get water. Wells in the Central Valley of California that cost $50,000 and up with no guarantee they will find water at any depth.
The battles over the Colorado River water. Either Arizona or New Mexico is supposedly ‘buying’ salt water from Mexico and pumping it into their state. And the aquifers are down, and not refilling quickly due to farm/city/subdivision use exceeding the aquifer’s capabilities.
And then there is Lake Mead... It is declining again after a temporary increase in 2023. Projections indicate that the lake is likely to reach its lowest recorded levels by 2027 due to ongoing drought and water usage.
Mono Lake is another California debacle, it is 350 miles from LA, but they take ALL of the feeders that feed the lake for LA.
It is ‘supposed’ to be maintained at 6392 feet, but as of 1 Nov it was at 6382.2 feet. The cutoff for LA is at 6380 feet, so it is estimated they will get there by April 2026 if not before, forcing LA to stop sucking off the feeders. So LA will probably have a ‘water shortage’ next year...
If you’re planning on moving to the Southwest or West, you need to take a hard look at the water availability where you’re looking at moving...just sayin...
All the places you mention are near or have access to ocean water. Desalinization seems to be the answer. What about the power to run the plants? Nuclear works. It's time to cast off the fears caused by a science fiction movie (China Syndrome) and take advantage of nuclear. Everything we need to produce the energy and water we need is available. The old shibboleth about nuclear needs to be buried deep and fast.
Herbert Hoover negotiated the water treaties for the allotments from the Colorado River based on one study from a 100 year record flood year. More was allotted from the river than flows through it. This was not a problem until all the states used their full allotments around the year 2000. Then Lake Mead started draining and the Lawsuits began. The biggest culprit is CA who gets the lion's share and runs it right through salt marshes into the ocean on behalf of the snail darter. It got bad enough that the feds have stepped in and forced a temporary treaty that runs through 2026. But CA refuses any long term solution that lowers their (wasted) allotment. The problem is, if Lake Mead drops low enough the turbines stop. So CA no longer gets water or power. Neither does Nevada and that's dire for other reasons but that's another post.