RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced that water use across the U.S. reached its lowest recorded level in approximately 45 years, according to a press release.
A recent USGS report, “Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2010,” indicated that during 2010, around 355 billion gallons of water per day were withdrawn for use across the nation, representing a 13 percent reduction of water use from 2005 and the lowest level since before 1970, stated the release.
The release reported that more than 50 percent of the total withdrawals in the U.S. were accounted for by 12 states including: California — responsible for the most overall withdrawals, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Illinois, Colorado, Arkansas, New York and North Carolina.
California accounted for 11 percent of total withdrawal for all categories and 10 percent of total fresh water withdraws across the U.S., noted the release.
“Since 1950, the USGS has tracked the national water-use statistics,” said acting USGS Director Suzette Kimball. “By providing data down to the county level, we are able to ensure that water resource managers across the nation have information necessary to make strong water-use and conservation decisions.”
Read the entire release here.
