Navigating a Water-stressed World

It’s almost officially summer in North America, though many places have already been experiencing summer-like temps much of the year.

So much so, that today more than 60% of the continental United States, is in drought, up from 43% at the start of 2026 and 33% a year ago, according to the most recent government U.S. Drought Monitor report. That’s an area with a population of about 153 million people.

When people consider drought-stricken locations in the States, they usually think of California, Arizona, and other southwest states. But currently, places that wouldn’t jump to mind on enduring droughts include Florida, North Carolina and New Hampshire.

The governor of Utah just declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions. Per the most recent federal drought status report, as the West enters summer, evaporative demand and water demands will increase. This will further strain and reduce water supplies. Any relief will depend on late spring storms. 

None of this occurred overnight. Which is why it feels crazy to see the latest list of the fast-growing cities in the U.S.

The South claimed 10 of the country’s 15 fastest-growing cities, with municipalities in Texas dominating the list.

Celina, Texas, which is north of Dallas, is the fastest-growing city in the United States, with a 24.6% growth rate in a single year, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Texas is experiencing significant drought conditions right now. As of mid-May 2026, roughly 65% of Texas is under active drought conditions. Even upcoming storm systems won't eliminate long-term drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the drought in Texas is affecting cropland, rangeland, and water supplies across the region, and is increasing wildfire risk. This year's winter wheat yield came up well short, creating a significant deficit in production.

The city of Corpus Christi has one of the most acute municipal water crises in the country right now, and has been in the news the past year for its likelihood of facing  ‘day zero’ conditions, when a municipality’s water supply drops to critically low levels, forcing severe rationing.

Climate change has made the drought worse in Corpus Christi, but so has industrial water users, such as petrochemical companies – industries that use enormous amounts of water. Industrial demand accounts for around 60% of Corpus Christi’s water demand.

WIRED magazine captured the water and drought picture in Corpus Christi and the western U.S. quite well, reporting the following:

Two high profile water crises, juiced up by climate change and industrial overuse, are building in the US. From a city in Texas staring down a drought emergency to a decades-long political crisis coming to a head for the states that rely on the Colorado River, water issues in the West will take center stage this summer—and experts tell WIRED that other places should take notes and start planning ahead for their own future.

Drought conditions will likely dominate the American summer.  Throw in forest fires and the predicted Super El Nino and it’s going to be a wild ride. It might sound insensitive to say that, given the severity of the threats. But the truth is we’ve been headed towards this for some time now, and yet we blunder on with business as usual.

Water is our most precious resource. Every ecosystem and every civilization depends on it in ways that nothing else can substitute. Unlike oil, coal, or even clean air, there is no alternative to water; when it runs out, everything stops.