Ripple Effect of Drought Across U.S. Industries

VISTA, CA – As much as 50 percent of the U.S. may be experiencing drought conditions, directly affecting 150 million people across 48 states and nearly all industries in what is likely to be a long, dry summer.

Andrew Ellis, a climatologist at Virginia Tech, said that active La Niña conditions are currently gripping parts of the western United States.

“With La Niña in place, the fall and winter season storm track typically moves farther north along the U.S.-Canadian border, leaving the southern U.S. without the storm dynamics needed to generate precipitation,” said Ellis.

While a lack of precipitation is the primary driver of these drought conditions, “increased air temperatures lead to greater water loss from the soil through evapotranspiration, intensifying the effects of dry spells.”

These severe dry spells stretch far beyond residential water restrictions; they threaten core commercial sectors.

“Drought conditions like this will impact almost all industries, including building management, professional cleaning, manufacturing, and even winemaking,” said Klaus Reichardt, Founder and CEO of Waterless Co., Inc.

Take California's Napa Valley, which supplies a vast portion of the wine marketed in the U.S., the region has been battling severe water scarcity, with January to April 2026 marking the 42nd driest period in the wine country in 132 years.

Even more alarming is the state of the Colorado River basin. Since 2000, the Colorado River—which supplies water to seven U.S. states—has experienced a 20 percent drop in overall streamflow alongside rising average temperatures. It is a perfect storm for extreme, prolonged drought.

Shifting to True Water Efficiency
While Ellis warns that late-summer weather shifts might bring temporary relief, they also carry the risk of damaging winds and sudden flash flooding rather than steady replenishment.

Because we cannot rely on the weather, the solution requires a fundamental shift in how commercial properties handle water infrastructure.

Reichardt argues that long-term water efficiency - centered on advanced water-saving technologies and restroom fixtures that use no water at all - is the most reliable path forward.

“Water efficiency reduces consumption, lowers power bills, and reduces carbon emissions,” Reichardt says. “It’s a win-win-win no matter how you look at it.”

Waterless Co., Inc. is the pioneer of the waterless urinal industry, leading the global shift toward sustainable restroom technology since 1991. Headquartered in Vista, California, the company specializes in high-performance, water-efficiency solutions that eliminate water waste while reducing facility operating costs.

For more, go to www.waterless.com.