General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform the audience of the water shortage problem in the USA. The prevalence, causes, and possible solutions will be mentioned.

Thesis: Today I will enlighten you on the water shortage problem in the USA, and demonstrate how we contribute to the challenge and how we can resolve the issue.

Organizational Pattern: Topical.

Introduction

Attention Getter: Has it ever crossed your mind that some households severely lack water? As you use, and probably waste water, there is a looming water crisis in the country leaving many homes with inadequate water.

Thesis: Today I will enlighten you on the water shortage problem in the USA, and demonstrate how we contribute to the challenge and how we can resolve the issue.

Proof of Credibility: I have researched widely on the water shortage crisis. Further, I have closely followed the issue on different and reliable media outlets like news channels and newspapers.

Statement of Relevance: water shortage is a global problem that the USA also faces. By understanding the extent of the problem, our role in the issue, and possible solutions, we would avail water to those lacking.

Preview of Main Points: To understand the issue, I will discuss the statistics of water shortage, the causes, and possible solutions.

(Transition: First, I am going to take you through the statistics of water shortage in the USA).

1. Water Shortage statistics are worrying and are set to worsen.
2. States likely to run out of water by 2025. According to the US Government Accountability Office, at least a region of the USA is anticipated to run out of water (Kincaid, 2015).
3. The top states to lack water include South Carolina, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California, Washington, and Oregon.
4. Major suppliers are running out of water (Synder, 2019)
5. Colorado River’s lower course near Baja in California is running dry. The populations in these areas are under actual drought threat.
6. Lake Mead is anticipated to dry out by 2021, leaving 22 million people waterless.
7. Americans contribute to the water shortage
8. Agricultural Activities
9. Intense agricultural practices have resulted in water shortage. Over 80% of the Colorado River is used for farming practices (“Discovery,” 2016).
10. Other major rivers like the Mississippi River Valley have been not only contaminated but been diverted for use in agriculture (Jones& Atkins, 2018).
11. Urban development
12. Urban areas like Las Vegas are utilizing a lot of water, leaving rural America dry.
13. The growing urban population adds pressure to existing water supplies, which cannot adequately avail water to all the citizens.
14. Non-Agricultural industrial roles (Jones& Atkins, 2018)
15. Mining activities in Kentucky, which result in water being drained into sunken and abandoned mines.
16. Water trading, which allows for privatization and control of water resources by private groups.

(Transition: Now that we understand how we contribute to the crisis, let us look at how we can resolve the issue)

3. Americans can aid in solving the water shortage crisis
4. Americans should be educated on water shortage (Ganter, 2018)
5. Citizens should be informed of the crisis, which many do not comprehend.
6. The education should also touch on lifestyle changes towards those that would preserve water.

• People should also be taught water harvesting and recycling practices.

1. Improving irrigation practices
2. Technology should be used to tackle the water shortage as in the case of California.
3. Dry farming, drip irrigation, and capturing and storing water would safeguard the water.
4. Better Policies and regulations
5. Stringent policies should be placed to control water trade
6. Enforcement of the Clean Water Act.

(Transition: Now, let us conclude the topic)

Conclusion

Restate Thesis: Today I will enlighten you on the water shortage problem in the USA, and demonstrate how we contribute to the challenge and how we can resolve the issue.

Review Main Points: We have discussed the water shortage statistics, how Americans contribute to the shortage, and how citizens can resolve the issue.

Strong ending Statement: So, the next time you are using water, think of your role in the crisis. Are you worsening the situation, or are you contributing to water conservation?

Speech Draft

Has it ever crossed your mind that some households do not have water? That we have a water shortage in the USA. Today I will enlighten you on the water shortage problem in the USA, and demonstrate how we contribute to the problem and how we can resolve the issue.

The statistics on water shortage are frightening and could be worse. According to Kincaid (2015), by 2025, at least one region in the USA will run out of water. Already, some areas acutely lack water like lack South Carolina, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, California, Washington, and Oregon.Major sources like Lake Mead and Colorado River already drying up.

Americans contribute to the shortage. According to Jones & Atkins (2018), agricultural activities, sources like the Colorado and Mississippi River Valley are being diverted towards agriculture. Equally, urbanization has resulted in city and population growths, which have grown adding to the shortage with their increased water demand. Other industries like water trading and mining create shortage for a fraction of the community. People’s ambitions cause deficiency.

There are steps to resolving the crisis. Ganter (2018). Proposes that citizens should be educated on shortage and conservation practices. Technology and farming practices like water capturing are equally essential. The law should enforce its Clean Water Act and other policies to safeguard water. It is within our power to control this issue.

Water shortage is an issue we can resolve. I have discussed the challenges and solutions to the problem. Now, you should ask yourself the question, are you worsening the situation, or are you contributing to water conservation?

References

“Discovery.” (2016). America’s Water Crisis. The Discovery Channel. Retrieved From http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/discovery-impact/americas-water-crisis/

Ganter, C. (2018). Experts Name the Top 19 Solutions to the Global Freshwater Crisis. Circle of Blue. Retrieved From https://www.circleofblue.org/2010/world/experts-name-the-top-19-solutions-to-the-global-freshwater-crisis/

Jones, S. & Atkins, E. (2018). Rural America’s Drinking-Water Crisis. The New Republic Magazine. Retrieved From https://newrepublic.com/article/147011/rural-americas-drinking-water-crisis

Kincaid, E. (2015). California isn’t the only state with water problems. The Business Insider. Retrieved From https://www.businessinsider.com/americas-about-to-hit-a-water-crisis-2015-4?IR=T

Synder, S. (2019). Water Scarcity – The U.S. Connection. The Water Project. Retrieved From https://thewaterproject.org/water-scarcity/water_scarcity_in_us

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