Water or lights: In California, nearly 20 percent of the state’s electricity is used to deliver water. In fact, its single biggest user of electricity is the State Water Project, which serves 29 California water agencies. This energy is needed to pump, transport, treat, distribute, and remove water from homes, schools, and businesses.

Other examples of water unrest are now brewing and could grow into significant challenges in the next 25 to 30 years. Will, for instance, the biofuel industry have to end in order for that water to be used to irrigate crops? Will we have to dim lights or ask manufacturers to stop production for a certain amount of time each day in order for utility companies to transport water from one area to another? While we may have years when there are significant rainfall events ahead, helping to delay this collision course, more water unrest is likely in our future.

The only real way to address this challenge is to keep looking for ways to use water more efficiently, including eliminating its use completely. Several communities in the United States are now using about the same, if not less, water than they were two and three decades ago. Such water efficiency can help us calm water unrest.

A frequent speaker and author on water conservation issues, Klaus Reichardt is founder and CEO of Waterless Co. Inc., Vista, CA, makers of waterless urinals and other restroom products. He founded the company in 1991 with the goal to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water conservation in mind. He may be reached at Klaus@waterless.com