The Bureau of Reclamation opened a funding opportunity for project proposals to result in measurable water savings in Lake Mead at the Arizona-Nevada border, or to add new water to an applicant’s supply to cut use of river water,

Dry weather in parts of the Midwest have contributed to unusually low river water levels, grounding some barges and requiring emergency dredging, with other waterways affected.

Completion of Atlanta’s $321.3-million, five-year project in late 2020 to expand its strained regional water supply comes as conditions may be worsening.

City will receive a $224-million loan toward a $458-million advanced water purification facility. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought in 41 counties and proposed water investment over four years.

Last summer, Chennai became the world’s first major city in which there was no water for residents to drink. But, as climate change makes flooding and drought more common, the city of 8 million is unlikely to be the last to run dry.