Water Use in the United States
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Use Information Program is responsible for compiling and disseminating the nation's water-use data. The USGS works in cooperation with local, State, and Federal environmental agencies to collect water-use information. USGS compiles these data to produce water-use information aggregated at the county, state, and national levels. Every five years, data at the county level are compiled into a national water-use data system and state-level data are published in a national circular.
Goals of the Water Use Program
- Analyze the source, use, and disposition of water resources at local, state, and national levels
- Reply to water-use information requests from the public
- Document trends in water use in the United States
- Cooperate with state and local agencies on projects of special interest
- Develop water-use data bases
- Publish local, state, and national water-use data reports
Reports
- Data compilation for the report Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2010 had a delayed start in Fall 2011. Report completion and data availability is not expected until 2014.
- Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2005
Download 2005 data for counties or selected watersheds
Fact Sheet: Summary of Water Use in the United States in 2005
Guidelines for Preparation of State Water-Use Estimates for 2005
Method for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Livestock in the United States, 2005
Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Mining in the United States, 2005
Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Aquaculture in the United States, 2005
Documentation of Methods and Inventory of Irrigation Data for 2000 and 2005 - Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000
Download 2000 data for counties
Fact Sheet: Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000
Guidelines for Preparation of State Water-Use Estimates for 2000 - Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1995
Download 1995 data for counties and watersheds - Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1990
Download 1990 or 1985 data for counties and watersheds - More on reports
- Estimated Withdrawals from Principal Aquifers in the United States, 2000
- Estimated Withdrawals from Stream-Valley Aquifers and Refined Estimated Withdrawals from Selected Aquifers in the United States, 2000
- Estimates for Self-Supplied Domestic Withdrawals and Population Served for Selected Principal Aquifers, Calendar Year 2005
- Documentation of methods and inventory of irrigation data collected for the 2000 and 2005 U.S. Geological Survey Estimated use of water in the United States, comparison of USGS-compiled irrigation data to other sources, and recommendations for future compilations
- Water-use data collection techniques in the Southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands (1985-1990)
Comparison of consumptive use and renewable water supply by water-resources region
Selected bibliography of USGS water-use reports by State
Handbook for collecting water-use data
If you have questions about water use in a specific State, please send e-mail to the USGS Water Use contact for that State. If you have questions about water use in the United States, please contact the Water-Use Information Team.
More water-use information from USGS:
Water Science for Schools, especially the Water Questions & Answers
