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There is a low cost way to transport fresh water from the northern cost of california to Los Angles. See my blog at isecke.blogspot.com for details

I was surprised that Leonard Lopate didn't mention the water crisis unfolding in New York state where our watershead is being threatened by hydro-fracking, a toxic gas drilling method. This crude technology wastes millions of gallons of water in its process and injects toxic chemicals deep into the complex and interconnected water table of the Marcellas shale formation, that will certainly end up in rivers and reservoirs. Please come back to New York and help us prevent this water catastrophe.
Ron

Greetings to all the commentators! You've raised some wonderful issues, most of which I address in my new book, Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It.

From the Great Lakes to Georgia, water shortages have become very serious for many communities. We have solutions to keep the crisis from turning into a catastrophe, but none, including desallnation, is a silver bullet. Desal is very expensive, uses enormous amounts of energy, and presents its own disposal problem for the concentrated brine. Still, for some places, desal is part of a sensible portfolio of options.

Many thanks for your interest.

Sincerely,

Robert Glennon

During the complete discussion I wondered why use of "gray water" was not mentioned. Yeah, Maggie NJ, use "gray water" from washing dishes/clothes/showering, etc. for the toilet and watering your lawn.
Why are desert dwellers in Arizona, Las Vegas, etc. allowed to have non-native landscaping like grass that need lots of water?

Since Southern Atlanta has less water, that should change their living habits.

We need legislation of all the water conservation measures Robert Glennon discusses.

Alan [17] see the documentary F.L.O.W. ("For Love of Water"). Large companies like Coca-Cola purchased the water rights for pennies or in some cases nothing bu simply promising a few jobs. They are draining their land and the land of their neighbors as well. The water from the Great Lakes still has too much industrial pollution to be drinkable.

Not true that diamonds have no use. They would have alot more use if it wasn't for the fact that their cost is artificially high, far too high to make their use economically feasible.
Joe....seriously?

Mr Glennon mentioned a parable about diamonds not having any practical purpose, only aesthetic. Diamonds are used in many industrial settings (no pun intended). Most commonly, diamonds are used for cutting.

The water guest said that Atlanta's population is increasing by 100,000 people a day.

That can't be right. That would be over 36 million people a year!

Not that it matters too much, but I work in a large datacenter where air cooling is inadequate. The computers are liquid cooled. Just like a VW bug was air-cooled, but more powerful cars have radiators. And the cooling systems of computers, just like cars, don't use water. They use a noxious, manufacturered liquid similar to radiator fluid. It would probably ne more ecological if they did use water.

Dick Teresi, former editor at Omni magazine told me in the late 70's that one day soon water would be more valuable than diamonds. I've kept that in mind ever since, especially when using it.

I am a bit tired of hearing about those of us that drink bottled water. It seems that it hasn't occurred to many people that there may be an actual need to do so.

This neighborhood is supplied by well water. It's annually tested for safety, but is not potable. Coke could never ship water from here for its products. Everyone here either buys separate bottles or uses a water dispenser. It's also the hardest water our water softener guys have ever seen; didn't know the scale went that high. Would you give some of us a break now? Penn & Teller included.

OK Potato - "Potahto" Paying for the actual water or paying for the service, the monthly water bill is tooo expensive. Wonder what service exactly are they providing? Isn't water treatment a government funded thing?

Why don't they just synthesize water?

In Australia ALL toilets have two flush buttons to conserve water. This should be considered in the U.S>

Really quite frightening how many cities ignore the obvious. The solution is less growth in arid areas, not how to squeeze more water out of the little that is left.

What happens to the pharmaceuticals in the urine stream when it's recycled back into drinking water? Read something about molecules persist after treatment.

I'm curious what water use will mean for the future of Michigan. It's hurting now, but when water use becomes a big issue, isn't it likely to come roaring back, being mostly surrounded by fresh water?

LL: stop asking dim-witted questions.

Can you recommend resources for rainwater catchment and irrigation? I live in the 'burbs and can't stand using fresh water on my lawn.

I've been researching using rain water, but don't know how many barrels I need for our climate, my size yard, etc. Is there one place I can do that kind of research?

Prince Phillip;s take on the flush toilet -

It's where we spend a gallon to flush a pint.

FYI Coca cola's DASANI water is bottled from taps in cities all around the country - probably wherever there is a coke bottling plant.

I went through the whole Georgia drought nightmare.

Flushing should be exempt!!

How about that NYT article, "It’s Now Legal to Catch a Raindrop in Colorado?"

Can we have a movement to remove those laws in other states?

People take everything for granted. I despaired long ago.

It is called Aquafina Leonard

I agree with Mr. Glennon, Americans are spoiled when it comes to water. Could your guest comment on the sudden jump in bottled water sales? When did this happen and why is it OK or not OK?

I am very frugal with water, not wasteful, but my toilet developed...not a leak but it would run and the already too high costs went through the roof before I discovered what was causing the problem.

United Water is GIVING Rockland's water to NJ

Why do we use potable water to flush toilets? Why not use "gray water" from washing dishes/clothes/showering, etc.

Is there a way for some communities in the United States to benefit from the way the country of Bermuda collects water from rooftops?

Desalination has been around for years, so why is not more widespread? Is is so expensive? What prevents it from taking hold?

Has he read the Nicholas Kristoff articles on the chemicals in the water that are causing gender problems among fish and frogs?

What about Desalinization? Could we use it to harvest water from the ocean? Wouldn't that help with rising sea levels?