USGS Report Shows How We Use Ground Water from Principal Aquifers
In its latest report on water use in the United States, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) looked at the nation's dependence on ground water. The report entitled Estimated Withdrawals from Principal Aquifers in the United States, 2000, provides details of ground water withdrawals and use from principal aquifers in each state.
The USGS found that more than 90 percent of ground water withdrawals are used for irrigation, public supply (deliveries to homes, businesses and industry), and self-supplied industrial uses. On a daily basis, 76.5 billion gallons are used for these three purposes, with irrigation accounting for nearly three-quarters of this amount. California and Nebraska use more ground water for irrigation than any other states: 8,910 million gallons per day in California and 7,050 million gallons per day in Nebraska.