Dry Spell

It has been a hot summer, and things continue to heat up.

According to National Climatic Data Center, 55% of the U.S. is now in moderate to severe drought, and current drought conditions surpass the record set in December 1956. The effects of such severe weather are grim. Food prices are climbing due to poor yield from corn and soy crops; water availability and quality are being compromised in many parts of the nation; and runoff—from what little rain much of the country has had—is exceptionally polluted.

Storm water and erosion control professionals already understand water’s impact on our everyday lives. Times like these put it in the forefront of everyone else’s minds, too, which means that the drought conditions could have a positive outcome: Being reminded of water’s importance might encourage people to make small changes, like rainwater harvesting—and small changes can sometimes have a big effect.