Recent reports—including many featured on our website—show that Germany's major rivers, critical waterways for commerce and the transportation of goods, are literally drying up. Similar conditions are unfolding across much of Europe, a region many scientists believe is among the parts of the world most affected by climate change.
The same pattern is emerging in the United States. The declining flow of the Colorado River and shrinking water supplies throughout the American West are not simply the result of temporary drought. They are signs of a much larger, long-term process known as aridification.
What Is Aridification?
Although the term may sound new, it is not. According to Merriam-Webster, the word aridification was first coined in 1855. However, it remained largely confined to scientific literature until recent years, when prolonged water shortages made it part of the public conversation.
Aridification is the gradual, long-term drying of a region's climate. Unlike a drought, which is temporary and eventually ends, aridification unfolds over decades—or even centuries—and is typically accompanied by steadily rising temperatures.
The key word is gradual. Over time, regions become progressively hotter and drier, fundamentally changing water availability, ecosystems, agriculture, and economic activity.
A Lesson from History
Scientists believe one of the earliest documented examples of aridification began around 2200 BCE and lasted for at least a century. The effects stretched across what are now Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia and China.
Many historians and climate researchers believe this prolonged drying contributed to the collapse of governments and civilizations throughout the region, helping bring about the end of the Bronze Age. At that time, agriculture, manufacturing, and trade all depended on reliable water supplies. As water became increasingly scarce, food production declined, commerce slowed, and once-thriving societies weakened.
History reminds us that water has always been the foundation of economic prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aridification
How do scientists know aridification has begun?
Researchers use several methods to identify aridification. Rainfall records are only one piece of the puzzle. Scientists also measure declining soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater levels, and reservoir storage.
Tree-ring analysis provides another valuable historical record. Wide tree rings generally indicate years with abundant moisture, while narrow rings—or missing rings altogether—point to prolonged dry conditions. These records allow scientists to compare today's climate with patterns stretching back hundreds or even thousands of years.
Does aridification mean it will never rain?
No. Wet years and heavy storms will still occur.
However, rainfall is expected to become less reliable and more variable. Some regions may experience intense storms followed by extended periods of unusually dry weather. California has repeatedly experienced this pattern, with promising rainy seasons ending much sooner than expected.
What is the significance of 1924?
Many climate scientists compare today's conditions in the western United States with those experienced around 1924 because both periods experienced severe dryness.
However, modern research suggests today's "megadrought" is likely the driest period the American Southwest has experienced in approximately 1,200 years, making current conditions historically significant.
Will aridification continue to worsen?
Most climate scientists believe the answer is yes.
Although occasional wet years will occur, long-term warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions is expected to continue increasing evaporation and reducing available water supplies in many regions. In other words, aridification should be viewed as a long-term shift in climate rather than a temporary weather cycle.
How Facility Managers Can Adapt to Aridification
For facility managers, aridification changes how buildings should be designed, operated, and maintained. Water can no longer be viewed as an inexpensive, unlimited resource.
Make water efficiency part of every purchasing decision.
When evaluating plumbing fixtures, cooling equipment, irrigation systems, commercial kitchens, or other water-using devices, water consumption should be considered alongside purchase price, durability, maintenance requirements, and life-cycle cost.
Every gallon saved today helps reduce operating costs while protecting increasingly limited water resources.
Conduct water audits more frequently.
Regular water audits should become standard practice.
Many facilities previously conducted audits every five years—or not at all. Today, large commercial buildings should consider comprehensive water audits every two years to identify leaks, unnecessary water use, aging equipment, and opportunities for improved efficiency.
Water audits should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time project because new technologies and conservation opportunities continue to emerge.
Prepare for higher water costs.
Water rates are likely to continue increasing.
For decades, many communities have priced water below its true cost. As infrastructure ages and supplies become more limited, utilities will require additional revenue to repair leaking pipelines, modernize treatment systems, and improve long-term water reliability.
Higher water prices can also encourage conservation by rewarding organizations that reduce unnecessary consumption.
The Need for Infrastructure and Innovation
Individual conservation efforts are important, but they alone cannot solve the problem.
Every year, billions of gallons of treated drinking water are lost because of aging pipelines, leaking distribution systems, and outdated infrastructure. Investing in modern water systems must become a national priority.
At the same time, technologies such as desalination continue to improve. Historically, desalination has been expensive, energy-intensive, and environmentally challenging. Today, advances in membrane technology, renewable energy, and plant design are reducing costs while minimizing environmental impacts, making desalination an increasingly practical option in water-stressed regions.
One Immediate Solution: Waterless Urinals
While governments address large-scale infrastructure challenges, building owners and facility managers can begin reducing water consumption immediately.
One of the simplest and most effective strategies is installing waterless urinals.
Unlike conventional urinals, waterless models require no water to operate, eliminating thousands of gallons of water use per fixture every year. In many commercial facilities, they also reduce maintenance costs, lower sewer charges, simplify installation, and support broader sustainability initiatives.
Waterless urinals demonstrate an important principle: every water-using fixture should be evaluated to determine whether a more efficient alternative is available. Whether replacing plumbing fixtures, upgrading cooling systems, improving irrigation controls, or installing leak detection technology, every improvement contributes to long-term water resilience.
The Bottom Line
Aridification is not simply another drought. It represents a long-term transformation of our climate that is already reshaping water supplies, agriculture, commerce, and facility operations around the world.
The organizations that recognize this shift today—and invest in water efficiency, smarter infrastructure, and innovative technologies—will be better positioned to manage rising water costs, comply with future regulations, and operate more sustainably.
When it comes to protecting our water resources, every gallon matters. Every building can make a difference, and every efficiency improvement brings us one step closer to a more resilient future.
Klaus Reichardt is the CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., in Vista, Calif., a pioneer in water-efficiency solutions. He founded the company in 1991 to create a new market segment in plumbing fixtures focused on water conservation. A frequent writer and presenter on water conservation, Reichardt can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.
