New US Database Tracks American Water Use for Better Management

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Researchers at Virginia Tech have created the United States Water Withdrawals Database, the first comprehensive national picture of American water usage. The database details 188,857 unique water users and 58 million withdrawal volumes, highlighting the dominance of agricultural irrigation and the power sector as major consumers. While the data relies heavily on estimates rather than direct measurement, the database adheres to FAIR data principles and provides crucial insights to inform water management strategies.

Why it matters

This database arrives at a critical time as communities grapple with increasing water stress due to drought, climate change, and population growth. The data enables more targeted conservation strategies, better allocation of resources during droughts, and a more accurate assessment of the impact of new developments, such as data centers, on local water supplies.

The details

The database shows that agricultural irrigation accounts for 51% of recorded withdrawals, while the power sector withdraws the largest total volume of water annually. Currently, only about a quarter of reported water withdrawals are directly measured, with the majority relying on estimates. This underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring infrastructure and standardized measurement practices across all states. For decades, accessing nationwide water usage data has been a significant hurdle, as 43 states mandate reporting from large water users, each operating under its own set of rules and formats. The new database successfully standardized records from 42 states, some dating back over a century, unifying previously scattered information.

• The United States Water Withdrawals Database was created by researchers at Virginia Tech in 2026.

What’s next

The database enables communities to track seasonal changes in water utilization, identify key sectors driving demand in their region, and monitor long-term trends. This information is crucial for informed planning, conservation efforts, and sustainable resource management.