Summary: Earlier this month, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) published the National Water Availability Assessment, a scientific overview of water availability that offers first-of-its-kind insights into the balance between water supply and demand across the contiguous U.S. homeland.
Analyst Comment: Protecting water resources is a critical task for all stakeholders involved in the water and wastewater sector. This new report aims to help in that effort. According to USGS, “Unlike previous national water availability assessments, which relied solely on data from locations where water was directly measured, this new assessment utilizes state-of-the-art models to fill the gaps between monitoring sites.”
The National Water Availability Assessment report is also complemented by an interactive visualization website that uses data-driven storytelling to present key findings in the report in an engaging way. Key findings by the Assessment include:
- The U.S. has enough water, but not everywhere and not at all times.
- Water availability is affected by water quantity, quality, and flow.
- Socially vulnerable Americans have a higher risk of water limitation.
- Limited water supply can cause water imbalance.
- Natural and human sources of nutrients degrade water quality.
- Water quality issues can affect human and aquatic health.
- The largest demands for water are for crop irrigation, public supply, and thermoelectric power.
- How we use water varies across the country.
Original Source: https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/usgs-releases-a-comprehensive-look-water-resources-united-states
Additional Reading:
Mitigation Recommendation:
Related WaterISAC PIRs: 16.
