The combined effect of water overexploitation and cli- are well documented, underground aquifers are not as

mate change is already affecting water supplies around well understood, and it is not known exactly how much
the world. Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin the groundwater is left.
water lifeline of the western US that supplies water to
some 40 million people in seven states and irrigates The impacts of climate change are also being felt in
about 1.6 million hectares of farmland has seen the tropical areas that historically have had abundant rain-
driest 14-year period in a century. Between 2004 and fall, where one wouldnt normally expect to see water
2013 the basin lost an estimated 65 km3 of water, 50 scarcity. For instance, Sao Paulos current water crisis,
km3 of which was a result of groundwater depletion.37 though largely caused by overexploitation and misman-
The amount of water lost is almost double the volume agement, has been exacerbated by the lowest levels of
of the nations largest reservoir, Nevadas Lake Mead.38 rainfall in the city in the last 30 years.
And while water levels and losses in rivers and lakes

Figure 16: Sao Paulo has experienced the lowest level of rainfall since 1985

1,047.3
1,200
Cumulative rainfall in Sao Paulo city from October of the
previous year to January (peak rainy season), in mm

908.6

1,000

800 818.5
557.1

502.5
463.6

600

502
400

200

0
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Average (753.6) 2015

Source: Sabesp, Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (Inmet)

37
 eophysical Research Letters
G
10.1002/2014GL061055,
Groundwater depletion
during drought threatens
future water security of the
Colorado River Basin
38
 ASA: http://www.nasa.
N
gov/press/2014/july/
satellite-study-reveals-
parched-us-west-using-
up-underground-water/#.
VK6T93udWtc

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