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Comment by Mezzie | Hacker News Reader

One interesting experience I had was going to the Middle East. It was the first time I'd ever dealt with water restrictions or even considered my water consumption, which didn't just baffle the Jordanians but also a lot of the other Americans.

I'm from Michigan. Fresh water is so accessible that even restricting its use for environmental purposes just isn't a thing. If we ever run out, the world is already on fire.

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Entire societies are only 6 continuous hours of complete water denial away from collapse.

That's just wild to me. Even if our infrastructure collapsed tomorrow, we could all probably get our water needs met. I live within walking distance to a sizeable river - I'd be annoyed if I couldn't buy water anymore but that's about it.

I wonder how things would go if the whole population of your state suddenly needed to dip all their water out of the rivers and lakes?

Back of napkin math suggests that the water in the lake would sustain drinking, hygiene, and daily bathing for all current MI residents for over 10,000 years, so probably fine.

I wasn't thinking so much about the quantity as the anarchic crowds that'd be competing for access to it (and churning up mud, etc...) if it no longer comes through the pipes. I'm not so sure things would be "fine".

They are already taking their water from rivers and lakes, where else would they get it?

You might be over estimating how potable local rivers/streams are without professional treatment.

I know how to treat water and have the supplies I'd need to do it.

You and I may, but I’m skeptical that “we could all” do so. Even a hacked together sand/charcoal filter only goes so far when we’re talking about populations.

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