(WAND) – Many people hardly think about access to water until that access becomes limited. Experts say drought conditions are becoming more frequent and more severe.

“Having warmer weather, especially during the summertime, can intensify drought and magnify drought impacts during periods of low precipitation,” said Dr. Trent Ford, state climatologist at the University of Illinois.

Less rain means less water reaches the ground. Groundwater moves slowly through aquifers and is a crucial source of drinking water, especially in rural areas across the state.

“That’s going to impact things like your agricultural supply or access to water in your house. So, you’re no longer able to get drinking water or water for showers in your house,” said Dr. Debra Perrone of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Ford said climate conditions are forcing communities to rethink how they manage water resources.

“Poor planning of water resources can actually generate more frequent drought conditions,” Ford said.

Perrone warned that groundwater supplies are unpredictable, which could lead to longer droughts or more intense floods.

“Rather than seeing a really intense flood every 100 years, we may see that flood happen every 10 years. Basically, the combination of the lack of predictability and the greater intensity makes it very hard to manage our resources,” Perrone said.

In the meantime, experts urge communities to consider ways to conserve water and plan for potential drought.

“This brings into focus the importance of water resource planning, both at a local level and at a state level, to make sure that we can do that accounting as our water demand portfolios change now and into the future,” Ford said.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, several counties in Illinois are abnormally dry, while some are experiencing severe drought conditions.