Drought and Water Scarcity Initiatives

Working across the National Water Program and with our federal partners to help combat water scarcity and build long-term drought resilience in partnership with states, tribes, and local communities.

On this page:

• About the Program
• Types of Assistance
• How This Program Helps Build Resilience
• Connections to Other EPA, Federal, or Non-Governmental Efforts

About the Program

While the EPA’s programs focus on water quality and protection and restoration of aquatic resources, those programs also can have positive impacts on water quantity or supply that ultimately provide drought resilience. Many aspects of the National Water Program beneficially support local and regional water quantity goals (including the preservation of ecological flows and serving the American economy) in addition to their primary focus on water quality.

Types of Assistance

The EPA’s drought and water scarcity initiatives identify specific programs and provide coordination and collaboration assistance that could help address water supply concerns and build climate resilience.

Coordination and Collaboration Assistance

• The EPA plays a role in convening diverse stakeholders to solve difficult environmental and public health problems.
• The EPA fosters and facilitates collaboration with other federal departments and agencies, states, tribes, local communities, utilities, and with other stakeholders and partners to work together to find solutions to water supply concerns. Two examples of such collaboration that focus on water scarcity and drought issues include the National Drought Resilience Partnership (NDRP) and the Western States Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST).

How This Program Helps Build Resilience

As the United States progresses through the twenty-first century, its water resources are under far greater pressures than in the past. Projections of population increases in the United States, concentrated in urban areas and areas with limited water resources, have fueled legitimate concerns about the nation’s ability to provide sufficient quantities of high-quality water for a myriad of uses across many economic and public sectors. Moreover, drought happens at some time and in some place every year in the United States.

Connections to Other EPA, Federal, or Non-Governmental Efforts

• National Drought Resilience Partnership started through President Obama’s 2016 Presidential Memorandum, Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience that directed 13 federal agencies and departments to better coordinate federal support for drought-related efforts, help communities reduce the impact of current drought events, and prepare for future drought. The NDRP coordinates and uses applicable federal investments, assets, and expertise to promote drought resilience and complement drought preparedness, planning, and implementation efforts of state, regional, Tribal, and local institutions. The NDRP member agencies also work in partnership to develop and deploy new technologies and improved access to alternative water supplies.
• Western States Federal Agency Support Team is a collaboration of 12 federal agencies with water management responsibilities in the West. WestFAST works closely with the Western States Water Council to accomplish effective cooperation among western states, and their partners, in the understanding, conservation, development, and management of water resources. The 12 WestFAST federal agencies form a dynamic, flexible team that provides the opportunity for interaction initiated by the Water Council, individual states, or the federal government.