The Summer the American Water Crisis Turned Real
This summer, the American water crisis is intensifying due to climate change and overuse, with severe drought conditions affecting the Colorado River and threatening water supplies for 40 million people across seven states. In Texas, Corpus Christi faces a potential municipal water shortage, with officials warning of a Level 1 drought emergency by September. Experts emphasize that these crises, long predicted, highlight the urgent need for proactive water management across the U.S.
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Molly TaftScienceApr 30, 2026 7:00 AMThe Summer the American Water Crisis Turned RealConcerns over water access are poised to consume summer in the US, as crises in Corpus Christi and across the Colorado River threaten to boil over.Photo-Illustration: Darrell Jackson; Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyTwo 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 seven 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.In February,…
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