What’s the solution to West’s water crisis? Desperate ideas explained
As western water woes continue, some experts and authorities say a national-level problem like this requires an innovative solution. The U.S. has plenty of drinking water — it’s simply in the wrong place. That’s a seemingly fixable problem that has inspired a number of creative ideas. Unfortunately, everything except conserving water has proven to be a longshot proposal riddled with logistical, legal or cost problems. The problem: The Colorado River is drying up from drought and overuse. It’s the literal lifeblood of the West. A rainy year doesn’t solve the water crisis: Rain and snow, particularly in California, has offered temporary relief to water worries. But experts say the water demand in the west is set to keep exceeding supply — unless major conservation efforts successfully roll out.