Approved by the Energy, Environment, and Water Policy Committee on January 20, 2026 
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on May 27, 2026
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 21, 2026

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports coordination and cooperation among water supply entities, local, state, and federal agencies in preparing and responding to drought. Specifically, ASCE supports:

  • The development of long-term regional water supply plans which consider anticipated drought conditions and their likelihood. 
  • The development of regional drought preparedness and response plans that consider the economic, social, and environmental costs of the temporary or permanent loss of water supply. 
  • Research Supports research planning, implementation, and management efforts to enhance resiliency to address increasing severity of future droughts. 
  • State and Federal technical and financial assistance for long-term supply and drought planning and implementation. 

Issue

Drought can cause widespread and significant negative economic, social, health, and environmental impacts. All regions of the country have experienced drought. A changing climate may result in an increase in the frequency, duration, and severity of drought in certain areas. Drought preparedness and response plans are required to mitigate the negative economic, social, health, and environmental impacts caused by a lack of water. A coordinated, cooperative, and communicative water management strategy among water supply agencies that rely on common or connected water resources, which includes robust data analysis, planning and implementation will serve to mitigate these impacts.

Drought preparedness and response plans identify the impact of water shortages on all uses, including public water supply, agriculture, industry, hydropower, navigation, water-based recreation, fish and wildlife, and water quality. Alternatives for avoiding identified impacts must be developed and evaluated. Where possible, such plans should include public outreach and education campaigns for users of public and private water systems and private well owners.

Regional drought preparedness and response plans often consider practices such as water conservation programs, water use restrictions, financial incentives, water reuse, water transfers, conjunctive use, water-banking, sustainability tactics, increased water storage, source water protection, and local sharing of supplies and facilities. Local and regional water supply entities are generally the best prepared to conduct risk assessments, to develop and implement public outreach and education programs, and to seek meaningful local input and discussion.

Rationale

Civil engineers are responsible for planning, designing, and managing infrastructure systems that depend on reliable water availability, including water supply, wastewater, stormwater, energy, agriculture, and navigation systems. Drought-related planning and management policies influence design assumptions, operating criteria, and long-term performance of this infrastructure, affecting public safety, economic stability, and environmental protection. As climate variability increases the frequency and severity of droughts, civil engineers must understand and engage with these policies to ensure infrastructure is resilient, adaptable, and aligned with regulatory and resource-management frameworks.

ASCE Policy Statement 408
First Approved in 1993