Background
The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. A summary for New England is presented on this web page.
Issue
Comprehensive water-use data analysis is needed to quantify the stress on existing supplies, particularly during periods when there is increased competition for water (drought).
Approach
- USGS water-use compilations are one of the few sources of information about national and regional trends in water withdrawals.
- The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in New England from different sources (groundwater and surface water in both fresh and saline settings) as a part of the national effort.
- Our WSC collected site-specific and aggregated water-use information for each county in New England.
- The New England WSC complied and estimated water use at the county level for eight water-use categories: thermoelectric, public supply, domestic, livestock, mining, industrial, irrigation, aquaculture.
Water Issues
New England States are fortunate to have abundant freshwater resources.
Annual precipitation averages place the New England States in the top half of the wettest States in the United States.
However, as populations have grown (11.4 percent between 1990 and 2015), freshwater resources have come under significant stress in many areas, particularly during periods of drought.
Stresses have been partially offset by declining rates of water withdrawals between 1990 and 2015. The steepest declines occurred in the most populous States — Massachusetts and Connecticut.
New England States Water-Use Websites
Because public information searches most frequently are for individual States, the New England WSC has prepared a web page on water use for each state:
New England Water Use, 2015 story
Below are links to the USGS national water-use website and water-use web pages for the New England states.
Water Use in the United States
Connecticut Water Use
Maine Water Use
Massachusetts Water Use
New Hampshire Water Use
Rhode Island Water Use
Vermont Water Use
Below are FAQ related to water use.
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...
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...
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...
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...
- Overview
Background
The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. A summary for New England is presented on this web page.
Issue
Comprehensive water-use data analysis is needed to quantify the stress on existing supplies, particularly during periods when there is increased competition for water (drought).
Approach
- USGS water-use compilations are one of the few sources of information about national and regional trends in water withdrawals.
- The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in New England from different sources (groundwater and surface water in both fresh and saline settings) as a part of the national effort.
- Our WSC collected site-specific and aggregated water-use information for each county in New England.
- The New England WSC complied and estimated water use at the county level for eight water-use categories: thermoelectric, public supply, domestic, livestock, mining, industrial, irrigation, aquaculture.
Water Issues
New England States are fortunate to have abundant freshwater resources.
Annual precipitation averages place the New England States in the top half of the wettest States in the United States.
However, as populations have grown (11.4 percent between 1990 and 2015), freshwater resources have come under significant stress in many areas, particularly during periods of drought.
Stresses have been partially offset by declining rates of water withdrawals between 1990 and 2015. The steepest declines occurred in the most populous States — Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.A graph showing New England population trends between 1990 and 2015. (Public domain.)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.A graph showing New England total water withdrawals between 1990 and 2015. (Public domain.)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.A graph showing New England population trends by State between 1990 and 2015. (Public domain.)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.A graph showing New England total water withdrawals by State between 1990 and 2015. (Public domain.) New England States Water-Use Websites
Because public information searches most frequently are for individual States, the New England WSC has prepared a web page on water use for each state:
New England Water Use, 2015 story
- Science
Below are links to the USGS national water-use website and water-use web pages for the New England states.
Water Use in the United States
The USGS produces national estimates of water withdrawal and consumptive water use. Withdrawal estimates are currently being finalized for a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020 for the three largest water use categories nationally (public supply, self-supplied thermoelectric power, and self-supplied crop irrigation). Six additional categories of use (self-supplied industrial, domestic, mining...Connecticut Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in Connecticut from different sources (groundwater and surface water...Maine Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. A summary for Maine is presented on this web page. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in Maine from...Massachusetts Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in Massachusetts from different sources (groundwater and surface...New Hampshire Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in New Hampshire from different sources (groundwater and surface water in both fresh and saline settings) as a part of the national effort...Rhode Island Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in Rhode Island from different sources (groundwater and surface water in both fresh and saline settings) as a part of the national effort....Vermont Water Use
Background The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled the Nation's water-use data at the county, State, and national levels every 5 years between 1950 and 2015. The most recent estimated water-use compilation was completed in 2015. - The New England Water Science Center (WSC) collected, reviewed, and aggregated water withdrawal data in Vermont from different sources (groundwater and surface water in... - Data
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- FAQ
Below are FAQ related to water use.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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