According a new report from the US Geological Survey, water use across the country has reached its lowest level in 45 years. This reflects positive trends in conservation achieved by improved water-use technologies and water management.
In 2010, Americans withdrew about 355 billion gallons of water each day from the various sources of supply. This represents a 13% reduction since 2005 and the lowest level since 1970.
As our population grows, people are learning to be more water conscious and to help sustain the limited freshwater resources in the country. More than half of water usage comes from 12 states. The biggest users in order of freshwater withdrawal are California, Texas, Idaho, Florida and Illinois. California alone uses 10% of the nation’s water. Population is obviously a factor, but other factors such as agricultural activity and industry also play a major role.
The largest single use of water is actually thermoelectric power. Water for thermoelectric power is used in generating electricity with steam-driven turbine generators. This accounts for some 40% of freshwater usage in the United States.
Water usage is declining in all major categories. In the five-year period between 2005 and 2010, thermoelectric power used 20% less water, irrigation 9%, self-supplied industrial withdrawals 12%, and public supplies 5%.
With more frequent droughts in the west and a growing population, it is encouraging that we are learning to pay attention to the water supply and make more efficient use of this absolutely crucial resource.
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National Water-Use at Lowest Levels since before 1970
Photo, posted February 21, 2009, courtesy of Catherine via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.