L.A.’s use of floating shade balls (above), which block the sun over reservoirs to prevent evaporation, is just one of many inventive new methods being tapped globally to prevent shortages.
REVIVING ANCIENT AQUEDUCTS
Over the past several years, a Peruvian utility company has revived pre-Inca aqueducts to route water from the Andes Mountains into cities.
RATIONING CONSUMPTION
Earlier this year, Puerto Rican authorities placed more than 150,000 residents on a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off water schedule. The savings helped slightly.
WIRING BILLBOARDS
Officials in Australia encourage conservation by showing water reservoir levels to would-be consumers in real time. Research shows the campaign helped cut consumption in half.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com