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States Reacting to Water Scarcity

Drought across the country has forced a number of states to deal with the issue of water scarcity, bringing about new water plans as well as policies to deal with water conservation, pollution and cleanup of polluted waters.

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Lake Travis, a major water supply reservoir for Austin, is severely depleted due to drought. The State Water Plan calls for dozens more such reservoir projects to be built in the coming decades to meet Texas' future water needs.
Credit: Spencer Selvidge

Drought across the country has forced a number of states to deal with the issue of water scarcity, bringing about new water plans as well as policies to deal with water conservation, pollution and cleanup of polluted waters. California changed its groundwater laws, while Kansas grappled with the dwindling water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer. In Texas, the state will distribute funds through the Texas Water Development Board to improve pipelines, wells and reservoirs as well as water conservation. (Circle of Blue)

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