The National Water-Use Science Project
Science Center Objects
The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Use Science Project (formerly the National Water-Use Information Program) is responsible for compiling and disseminating the nation's water-use data. Established by USGS in 1978, the USGS National Water-Use Science Project built on the legacy of the Estimated Use of Water in the United States report series, begun in 1950 and produced every 5 years.
The National Water-Use Science Project is a part of the National Water Census (NWC), which supports research focused on improving methods of collection and estimation of water-use data. Water use is a key component of the water-budget approach of the NWC.
Goals of the National Water Use Science Project:
- 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 State and national water-use data reports
A number of guidelines and methods reports are available for the USGS water-use compilations and related work, both for specific categories of water use and for more recent compilations as a whole.
Water Use in the United States
The USGS works in cooperation with local, State, and Federal agencies to collect water-use information, then 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...
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Date published: February 22, 2019Status: ActiveState Contacts for Water-Use Data
Water-use data is compiled for each of the United States as well as for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The list below contains a link to the USGS water-use site for each entity, if one exists, as well as the point of contact for State-level information.
Contacts: National Water-Use Science ProjectAttribution: Water Resources, Water Availability and Use Science Program
Guidelines for preparation of State water-use estimates for 2015
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated the use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals since 1950. This report describes the water-use categories and data elements used for the national water-use compilation conducted as part of the USGS National Water-Use Science Project. The report identifies sources of water-use information,...
Bradley, Michael W.
Methods for estimating water consumption for thermoelectric power plants in the United States
Water consumption at thermoelectric power plants represents a small but substantial share of total water consumption in the U.S. However, currently available thermoelectric water consumption data are inconsistent and incomplete, and coefficients used to estimate consumption are contradictory. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has resumed the...
Diehl, Timothy H.; Harris, Melissa; Murphy, Jennifer C.; Hutson, Susan S.; Ladd, David E.
Estimating irrigation water use in the humid eastern United States
Accurate accounting of irrigation water use is an important part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Use Information Program and the WaterSMART initiative to help maintain sustainable water resources in the Nation. Irrigation water use in the humid eastern United States is not well characterized because of inadequate reporting and wide...
Levin, Sara B.; Zarriello, Phillip J.
Description of 2005-10 domestic water use for selected U.S. cities and guidance for estimating domestic water use
Domestic water-use and related socioeconomic and climatic data for 2005-10 were used in an analysis of 21 selected U.S. cities to describe recent domestic per capita water use, investigate variables that potentially affect domestic water use, and provide guidance for estimating domestic water use. Domestic water use may be affected by a...
Kenny, Joan F.; Juracek, Kyle E.
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
Every five years since 1950, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Use Information Program (NWUIP) has compiled water-use information in the United States and published a circular report titled "Estimated use of water in the United States," which includes estimates of water withdrawals by State, sources of water withdrawals (groundwater...
Dickens, Jade M.; Forbes, Brandon T.; Cobean, Dylan S.; Tadayon, Saeid
Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Aquaculture in the United States, 2005
Aquaculture water use is associated with raising organisms that live in water - such as finfish and shellfish - for food, restoration, conservation, or sport. Aquaculture production occurs under controlled feeding, sanitation, and harvesting procedures primarily in ponds, flow-through raceways, and, to a lesser extent, cages, net pens, and tanks....
Lovelace, John K. Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Mining in the United States, 2005
The mining water-use category includes groundwater and surface water that is withdrawn and used for nonfuels and fuels mining. Nonfuels mining includes the extraction of ores, stone, sand, and gravel. Fuels mining includes the extraction of coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Water is used for mineral extraction, quarrying, milling, and other...
Lovelace, John K. Method for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Livestock in the United States, 2005
Livestock water use includes ground water and surface water associated with livestock watering, feedlots, dairy operations, and other on-farm needs. The water may be used for drinking, cooling, sanitation, waste disposal, and other needs related to the animals. Estimates of water withdrawals for livestock are needed for water planning and...
Lovelace, John K. Guidelines for preparation of State water-use estimates for 2005
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated the use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals since 1950. This report describes the water-use categories and data elements required for the 2005 national water-use compilation conducted as part of the USGS National Water Use Information Program. The report identifies sources of water-use...
Hutson, Susan S. Guidelines for preparation of state water-use estimates for 2000
This report describes the water-use categories and data elements required for the 2000 national water-use compilation conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of its National Water Use Information Program. It identifies sources of water-use information, guidelines for estimating water use, and required documentation for preparation...
Kenny, Joan