Drought is common.
Urban areas are growing and so are many rural areas. As a result, demands for municipal and industrial water supplies are growing. These and other changes help ensure a future where water will continue to be a primary constraint and source of conflict and controversy in the region. Periodic drought serves to remind us that water is precious. It is imperative that we address drought in a careful and systematic manner, trying to anticipate and resolve problems and conflicts as they evolve and before they reach crisis proportions.