Cities With Most Water Loss Due To Sprawl

Sprawl is making the nation's drought more painful by impairing the landscape's ability to recharge aquifers. Which cities are the worst?

1 minute read

August 29, 2002, 8:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Atlanta is the nation's most rapidly sprawling metropolitan area, creating an additional 57 billion to 133 billion gallons of polluted water runoff each year, the report said. Atlanta loses enough water to supply the average household needs of up to 3.6 million people a year, the report said.The Boston area was next with between 44 billion and 103 billion gallons of water lost. Next came Philadelphia with 25 billion to 59 billion gallons of water unable to return to the soil, the report said."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Thursday, August 29, 2002 in CBS News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19, 2025 - Planetizen

String lights across an alley in Cranford, New Jersey at night.

Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs

When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.

January 17, 2025 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Close-up of person on bike wearing backpack riding on city street.

Research Affirms Safety of ‘Idaho Stop’

Allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs does not negatively impact safety and can help people on bikes more effectively navigate roadways.

January 14, 2025 - Streetsblog California

Smoky sky overlooking Los Angeles skyline during 2025 wildfires.

While California Fires Burn On, Residents Take on Rent Gouging

Residents have already seen online listings skyrocketing in price—despite laws against such hikes. With fires still raging, LA and Pasadena tenants are demanding protections against rent raises and eviction.

45 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

The historic San Diego City and County Administration Building in Southern California.

San Diego Housing Assistance, Homelessness Programs Facing Major Cuts

Programs supported by federal and state programs are on the brink of losing funding, putting thousands of homeless and at-risk residents in jeopardy.

1 hour ago - Governing

Silver oil pipeline running above ground in snowy area near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Trump Attacks Environmental Rules Amid Flurry of Executive Orders

Several executive orders signed on Monday seek to repeal Obama- and Biden-era environmental regulations and roll back goals to encourage the shift to electric vehicles.

2 hours ago - The New York Times