The MD-DE-DC WSC works with state and local agencies to collect, estimate, review, and compile water use information. Data are used in USGS groundwater and watershed models, and other USGS studies. The data are also compiled and incorporated into the USGS national estimates of water-use. WSC staff currently participate in various national water use projects focused on improving water use estimates for various categories of use including thermo-electric power generation, irrigation, public supply, and self-supplied domestic.
Estimated use of water in the United States
Water use in the United States in 2015 was estimated to be about 322 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 9 percent less than in 2010.
Comprehensive Assessment of Water Supply in Maryland
Several state and local agencies, including the USGS, MDE, MGS, and Maryland DNR, took a comprehensive look at water resources in Maryland.
Drought forecasting in northeastern United States
USGS Water Science Centers in the northeast U.S. have combined resources and methodologies to produce a factsheet describing the drought forecasting techniques to predict droughts for streamflow and groundwater.
Water supply in the area that the MD-DE-DC WSC serves comes surface water (streams and rivers), groundwater (fractured rock aquifers and Coastal Plain aquifers), and reservoirs. Water is a vital component of human existence, as well as critical to all forms of life. In order to protect and preserve this resource for future generations, we must have a baseline of information to make decisions. Decision and policy makers must know the answers to three fundamental questions: where is the water used, how is it used, and how much is used.
While Maryland, Delware and the DIstrict of Columbia all fall within the green zone, as far as water use goes, our placement on that list comes from years of hard-fought regulation, convincing policy makers that water, although seemingly an enless resource, is anything but. In fact, in some parts of the world it can be as valuable as gold. Especially when it's clean, potable water.
Below is a list of projects related to fields of Water Use and Water Supply
Water Use in the United States
Integrated Water Availability Assessments
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
USGS Streamgaging Network
Water-Use Terminology
Monitoring Water-Quality Changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Changes in Water-Use Categories
Monitoring Water-Quality Response of Conservation Practices in the Bucks Branch Watershed, Sussex County, Delaware
Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality of the Anacostia River Watershed
Below are some frequently asked questions sometimes heard in the fields of Water Use and Water Supply
In addition to FAQs, please refer to our glossariesWater Basics GlossaryHydrologic DefinitionsWater Science-Glossary of TermsWater Resources Data - Definition of TermsGlossary of water-use terminology A-Z Index of Hydrologic Terms
Where can I get my well water tested?
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance. Prices will vary depending on the laboratory and the test(s), but most people consider the cost to be...
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
How can I find the depth to the water table in a specific location?
The depth to the water table can change (rise or fall) depending on the time of year. During the late winter and spring when accumulated snow starts to melt and spring rainfall is plentiful, water on the surface infiltrates into the ground and the water table rises. When water-loving plants start to grow again in the spring and precipitation gives way to hot, dry summers, the water table falls...
What is the Earth's "water cycle?"
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes where water is stored on Earth and how it moves. Water is stored in the atmosphere, on the land surface, and below the ground. It can be a liquid, a solid, or a gas. Liquid water can be fresh or saline (salty). Water moves between the places it is stored. It moves at large scales (through watersheds, the atmosphere, and below the Earth...
Do you have information about water hardness in the United States?
See our map of water hardness (as calcium carbonate) in surface water of the United States. Hardness data (reflecting mostly calcium, plus a little magnesium) for individual drinking-water suppliers is at the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water website. It is important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a legal limit or standard for hardness in water...
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
Is saline water used for anything?
In the U.S., about 13 percent of all water used is saline water. But saline water can only be used for certain purposes. The main use is for thermoelectric power-plant cooling. About 5 percent of water used for industrial purposes is saline, and about 53 percent of all water used for mining purposes is saline. Saline water can be desalinated for use as drinking water by putting it through a...
Where can I find information about bottled water?
Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by individual states. For general information about bottled water, sources include the International Bottled Water Association and NSF International. Learn More: Water Use - Withdrawals for Bottled Water
How much natural water is there?
Earth is estimated to hold about 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers of water. The breakdown of where all that water resides is estimated as follows: Oceans (saline) 1,338,000,000 cubic kilometers Ice caps and glaciers (fresh) 24,064,000 cubic kilometers Groundwater (fresh and saline) 23,400,000 cubic kilometers Streams, lakes, swamps (fresh) 104,590 cubic kilometers Lakes (saline) 85,400 cubic...
Why does my drinking water look cloudy sometimes?
Once in a while you get a glass of water that looks cloudy; maybe milky is a better term. After a few seconds it miraculously clears up! The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water. The water in the pipes coming into your house might be under a bit of pressure. This causes gases (air)...
How much water is used by people in the United States?
Since 1950, the USGS has collected and analyzed water-use data for the United States and its Territories. That data is revised every 5 years. As of 2015, the United States uses 322 billion gallons of water per day (Bgal/day). The three largest water-use categories were irrigation (118 Bgal/day), thermoelectric power (133 Bgal/day), and public supply (39 Bgal/day), cumulatively accounting for 90...
- Overview
The MD-DE-DC WSC works with state and local agencies to collect, estimate, review, and compile water use information. Data are used in USGS groundwater and watershed models, and other USGS studies. The data are also compiled and incorporated into the USGS national estimates of water-use. WSC staff currently participate in various national water use projects focused on improving water use estimates for various categories of use including thermo-electric power generation, irrigation, public supply, and self-supplied domestic.
Estimated use of water in the United States
Water use in the United States in 2015 was estimated to be about 322 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 9 percent less than in 2010.
Comprehensive Assessment of Water Supply in Maryland
Several state and local agencies, including the USGS, MDE, MGS, and Maryland DNR, took a comprehensive look at water resources in Maryland.
Drought forecasting in northeastern United States
USGS Water Science Centers in the northeast U.S. have combined resources and methodologies to produce a factsheet describing the drought forecasting techniques to predict droughts for streamflow and groundwater.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Water Use in the United States (click here to see larger graphic)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Water Use in Maryland (click here to see larger graphic) Water supply in the area that the MD-DE-DC WSC serves comes surface water (streams and rivers), groundwater (fractured rock aquifers and Coastal Plain aquifers), and reservoirs. Water is a vital component of human existence, as well as critical to all forms of life. In order to protect and preserve this resource for future generations, we must have a baseline of information to make decisions. Decision and policy makers must know the answers to three fundamental questions: where is the water used, how is it used, and how much is used.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Water Use in Delaware (click here to see larger graphic) While Maryland, Delware and the DIstrict of Columbia all fall within the green zone, as far as water use goes, our placement on that list comes from years of hard-fought regulation, convincing policy makers that water, although seemingly an enless resource, is anything but. In fact, in some parts of the world it can be as valuable as gold. Especially when it's clean, potable water.
- Science
Below is a list of projects related to fields of Water Use and Water Supply
Water Use in the United States
Water use estimates for 2000 through 2020 are now available for the three largest categories of use in the United States: self-supplied thermoelectric power generation, self-supplied irrigation, and public supply. Five additional categories of use (self-supplied industrial, domestic, mining, livestock, and aquaculture) will be available in 2025.Integrated Water Availability Assessments
The USGS Water Resources Mission Area is assessing how much water is available for human and ecological needs in the United States and identifying where and when the Nation may have challenges meeting its demand for water.Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
Substantial advances in water science, together with emerging breakthroughs in technical and computational capabilities, have led the USGS to develop a Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS). The USGS NGWOS will provide real-time data on water quantity and quality in more affordable and rapid ways than previously possible, and in more locations.USGS Streamgaging Network
The USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and (or) delivery of both streamflow and water-level information at approximately 8,500 sites and water-level information alone for more than 1,700 additional sites. The data are served online—most in near realtime—to meet many diverse needs.Water-Use Terminology
The following terms have been used in one or more of the water-use publications. The comparison of water-use categories over the history of these reports may also help clarify the use of some of the terms.Monitoring Water-Quality Changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) watershed water-quality monitoring network, measures changes in nutrients and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The data from the network are used to help scientists and managers assess water-quality conditions and long-term trends as management practices are implemented to reduce the amount of...Changes in Water-Use Categories
Water-use terminology in the series of USGS water-use circulars, first published for the year 1950, has changed over time as illustrated here. Some categories were re-named but retained essentially the same definition, while other changes split existing categories or shifted components of one category to another. See the entries for these terms in the water-use terminology page for other details.Monitoring Water-Quality Response of Conservation Practices in the Bucks Branch Watershed, Sussex County, Delaware
The Bucks Branch sub watershed in the Nanticoke River basin has been identified as having one of the highest concentrations of nitrate in surface water of all sites sampled in Delaware. Changes in water quality related to changes in agricultural conservation practices will be seen first in shallow groundwater as groundwater is the major source of nitrate in surface water. Very little research is...Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality of the Anacostia River Watershed
The Anacostia River has been subjected to dredging, filling, contamination, and other human influences for over 200 years. The result of these activities is that the river has been seriously degraded from its natural state. Many groups have been working to reduce the effects of environmental degradation on the water quality and living resources of the Anacostia River, primarily by focusing on... - Data
- Publications
- Web Tools
- FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions sometimes heard in the fields of Water Use and Water Supply
In addition to FAQs, please refer to our glossariesWater Basics GlossaryHydrologic DefinitionsWater Science-Glossary of TermsWater Resources Data - Definition of TermsGlossary of water-use terminology A-Z Index of Hydrologic TermsWhere can I get my well water tested?
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance. Prices will vary depending on the laboratory and the test(s), but most people consider the cost to be...
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
How can I find the depth to the water table in a specific location?
The depth to the water table can change (rise or fall) depending on the time of year. During the late winter and spring when accumulated snow starts to melt and spring rainfall is plentiful, water on the surface infiltrates into the ground and the water table rises. When water-loving plants start to grow again in the spring and precipitation gives way to hot, dry summers, the water table falls...
What is the Earth's "water cycle?"
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes where water is stored on Earth and how it moves. Water is stored in the atmosphere, on the land surface, and below the ground. It can be a liquid, a solid, or a gas. Liquid water can be fresh or saline (salty). Water moves between the places it is stored. It moves at large scales (through watersheds, the atmosphere, and below the Earth...
Do you have information about water hardness in the United States?
See our map of water hardness (as calcium carbonate) in surface water of the United States. Hardness data (reflecting mostly calcium, plus a little magnesium) for individual drinking-water suppliers is at the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water website. It is important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a legal limit or standard for hardness in water...
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
Is saline water used for anything?
In the U.S., about 13 percent of all water used is saline water. But saline water can only be used for certain purposes. The main use is for thermoelectric power-plant cooling. About 5 percent of water used for industrial purposes is saline, and about 53 percent of all water used for mining purposes is saline. Saline water can be desalinated for use as drinking water by putting it through a...
Where can I find information about bottled water?
Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by individual states. For general information about bottled water, sources include the International Bottled Water Association and NSF International. Learn More: Water Use - Withdrawals for Bottled Water
How much natural water is there?
Earth is estimated to hold about 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers of water. The breakdown of where all that water resides is estimated as follows: Oceans (saline) 1,338,000,000 cubic kilometers Ice caps and glaciers (fresh) 24,064,000 cubic kilometers Groundwater (fresh and saline) 23,400,000 cubic kilometers Streams, lakes, swamps (fresh) 104,590 cubic kilometers Lakes (saline) 85,400 cubic...
Why does my drinking water look cloudy sometimes?
Once in a while you get a glass of water that looks cloudy; maybe milky is a better term. After a few seconds it miraculously clears up! The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water. The water in the pipes coming into your house might be under a bit of pressure. This causes gases (air)...
How much water is used by people in the United States?
Since 1950, the USGS has collected and analyzed water-use data for the United States and its Territories. That data is revised every 5 years. As of 2015, the United States uses 322 billion gallons of water per day (Bgal/day). The three largest water-use categories were irrigation (118 Bgal/day), thermoelectric power (133 Bgal/day), and public supply (39 Bgal/day), cumulatively accounting for 90...