While the Midwest has too much water (poor Cedar Rapids), other places have too little, and the shortages don't necessarily result from climate change. Gov. Arnold recently declared a drought emergency in California. We've written before about how Las Vegas and other fast growing desert areas are tapping limited resources. Relatively fertile Atlanta and much of the Southeast remain on water restrictions as reservoir levels start sinking again, impacting a vast watershed serving farmers and commercial fishermen to the Gulf. A friend in Atlanta collects rain (when it rains and that has not been nearly enough lately) off her roof to wash the car and water the garden. Well, residents in Mediterranean countries like Greece have been doing that for centuries. And we may need to catch up.

Given expected population trends -- adding 100 million more people by 2040, some US regions may not be able to cope with the growth unless we change our ways. In places like Arizona and much of arid Southern California, including the LA area, free flowing water will become more of a luxury as more people depend on it. All those backyard swimming pools, stretching from Riverside to Manhattan Beach may turn into a major liability or else cactus gardens. The Colorado River watershed can serve just so many people, farmers and Las Vegas hotel fountains. Water restrictions and exponentially higher water bills will become the norm in these places.

Atlanta has been on a collision course with water shortages for several decades as it expanded into suburban subdivisions stretching well beyond the horizons: All those lawns to water and all those toilets flushing. Recent climactic changes (whether temporary or more permanent) push the entire region to the brink. Georgia has had no watershed plan, and fights with Florida, Alabama and now Tennessee over what has become a suddenly precious resource. We all take it for granted don't we? If the region continues to grow as expected, how can it possibly provide water to everyone without forcing people to conserve more? Its Lake Lanier reservoir was within 40 days of running dry last fall and water levels are dropping precipitously again -- summer has only started. The only short-term bailout may be a major hurricane. In any case, a larger population would certainly put water supplies on the brink given existing (profligate) lifestyles.