More than half of the United States is currently gripped by drought, with conditions affecting an estimated 150 million people across 48 states. Industry experts and climate scientists warn that the situation could deepen through a long, dry summer, putting pressure not only on households but on entire commercial sectors. The message emerging from Waterless Co., Inc., a long-standing pioneer in water-saving restroom technology, is that technology-driven water efficiency now offers the most reliable path forward.
According to Andrew Ellis, a climatologist at Virginia Tech, active La Niña conditions are shaping weather patterns across 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,” he explains. Ellis adds that rising air temperatures intensify the problem by accelerating water loss from soil through evapotranspiration.
The ripple effect across US industries
The impact of prolonged dry spells extends well beyond residential water restrictions, threatening core commercial activity. “Drought conditions like this will impact almost all industries, including building management, professional cleaning, manufacturing, and even winemaking,” says Klaus Reichardt, founder and chief executive of Waterless Co., Inc.
California’s Napa Valley, which supplies a significant share of the wine sold in the US, has been battling severe water scarcity, with the January to April 2026 period ranking as the 42nd driest in the wine region in 132 years. The Colorado River basin, which supplies water to seven US states, presents an even starker picture: streamflow has fallen by around 20 percent since 2000 while average temperatures have continued to climb – a combination that creates ideal conditions for extreme, prolonged drought. These pressures echo wider concerns about US drought resilience, as seen in projects such as PCL Construction’s award-winning Arizona water treatment work.
Why short-term relief is not enough
While Ellis notes that late-summer weather shifts might bring temporary respite, he warns they often arrive as damaging winds and sudden flash flooding rather than steady, useful replenishment. That unpredictability is one reason rapid-onset events such as flash droughts are increasingly difficult to plan around. Because the weather cannot be relied upon, the argument goes, the durable solution lies in how commercial properties manage their water infrastructure.
Shifting to true water efficiency
Reichardt argues that long-term water efficiency – built around advanced water-saving technologies and restroom fixtures that use no water at all – delivers benefits that go beyond conservation. “Water efficiency reduces consumption, lowers power bills, and reduces carbon emissions,” he says. “It’s a win-win-win no matter how you look at it.” The case for commercial action is increasingly compelling, with operators recognising how water efficiency can support wider business sustainability goals.
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Vista, California, Waterless Co., Inc. is recognised as a pioneer of the waterless urinal industry, supplying no-flush urinals and water-efficiency solutions for commercial, industrial and residential applications worldwide. Further information is available via the Waterless Co. website, and national drought conditions can be tracked through the US Drought Monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of the US is currently affected by drought?
More than 50 percent of the United States is experiencing drought conditions, directly affecting an estimated 150 million people across 48 states.
What is driving the current US drought?
Climatologist Andrew Ellis points to active La Niña conditions pushing the winter storm track farther north, leaving the southern US short of precipitation, while higher air temperatures increase water loss from soil through evapotranspiration.
Which industries are most at risk?
According to Waterless Co. chief executive Klaus Reichardt, sectors including building management, professional cleaning, manufacturing and winemaking are all exposed to prolonged drought, alongside agriculture and utilities.
Why is water efficiency presented as the best solution?
Because weather patterns are unpredictable, Reichardt argues that long-term water efficiency – including water-saving technologies and no-water restroom fixtures – offers a reliable way to cut consumption, lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
