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Wayne B. Solley

Publications and source records attributed to Wayne B. Solley.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1998

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1995

The purpose of this report is to present consistent and current water-use estimates by state and water-resources region for the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Estimates of water withdrawn from surface- and ground-water sources, estimates of consumptive use, and estimates of instream use and wastewater releases during 1995 are presented in this report. This report discusses eight categories of offstream water use--public supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric power--and one category of instream use: hydroelectric power.

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USGS1993

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1990 were estimated to average 408,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--2 percent more than the 1985 estimate. Total freshwater withdrawals were an estimated 339,000 Mgal/d during 1990, about the same as during 1985. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,620 gallons per day (gal/d) of freshwater and saline water combined and 1,340 gal/d of freshwater. Offstream water-use categories are classified in this report as public supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric power. During 1990, public-supply withdrawals were an estimated 38,500 Mgal/d, and self-supplied withdrawals were estimated as follows: domestic, 3,390 Mgal/d; commercial, 2,390 Mgal/d; irrigation, 137,000 Mgal/d; livestock, 4,500 Mgal/d; industrial, 22,600 Mgal/d, of which 3,270 Mgal/d was saline water; mining, 4,960 Mgal/d, of which 1,650 Mgal/d was saline; and thermoelectric power, 195,000 Mgal/d, of which 64,500 Mgal/d was saline. Water use for hydroelectric power generation, the only instream use compiled in this report, was estimated to be 3,290,000 Mgal/d during 1990, or 8 percent more than during 1985 and about the same as estimated for 1975 and 1980. Estimates of withdrawals by source indicate that during 1990, total surface-water withdrawals were 327,000 Mgal/d, or 1 percent more than during 1985, and total ground-water withdrawals were 80,600 Mgal/d, or 9 percent more than during 1985. Total saline-water withdrawals during 1990 were 69,400 Mgal/d, or 15 percent more than during 1985, most of which was saline surface water. Reclaimed wastewater averaged about 750 Mgal/d during 1990, or 30 percent more than during 1985. Total freshwater consumptive use was an estimated 94,000 Mgal/d during 1990, or 2 percent more than during 1985. Consumptive use by irrigation accounted for the largest part of total consumptive use, and was an estimated 76,200 Mgal/d. Freshwater consumptive use in the East (water-resources regions east of and including the Mississippi regions) was about 12 percent of freshwater withdrawn in the East and accounted for only 21 percent of the Nation's total consumptive use. By comparison, freshwater consumptive use in the West was about 44 percent of the freshwater withdrawn in the West. The 1990 estimates of total freshwater withdrawals and consumptive use were just slightly more than the 1985 estimates but substantially less than the 1980 estimates; this is consistent with the general trend indicated by a slackening in the rate of increase of total withdrawals from 1970 to 1975 and again from 1975 to 1980, and a decrease in total withdrawals from 1980 to 1985. Public-supply withdrawals during 1990 were 5 percent more than during 1985, and self-supplied withdrawals during 1990 compared to 1985 were as follows: domestic, 2 percent more; commercial, 95 percent more; irrigation, 0.3 percent less; livestock, 0.8 percent more; industrial, 13 percent less; mining, 44 percent more; and thermoelectric power, 4 percent more. A comparison of total withdrawals (fresh, saline) by State indicates that 20 States and the District of Columbia had less water withdrawn for offstream uses during 1990 than during 1985. California accounted for the most water withdrawn for offstream use, 46,800 Mgal/d, more than the total of water withdrawn in both Texas or Idaho, the next largest users. A similar comparison by water-resources regions indicates that the coastal regions (New England, Mid Atlantic, South Atlantic-Gulf, Pacific Northwest, California) accounted for nearly one-half of the total water withdrawn in the United States. Total withdrawals in the East accounted for 54 percent of the Nation's total withdrawals, the same as during 1985.

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USGS1988

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1985

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1985 were estimated to average 399,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--10 percent less than the 1980 estimate. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,650 gallons per day (gal/d) of freshwater and saline water combined and 1,400 gal/d of freshwater alone. Offstream water-use categories are classified in this report as public supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric power. During 1985, public-supply withdrawals were estimated to be 36,500 Mgal/d, and self-supplied withdrawals were estimated as follows: domestic, 3,320 Mgal/d: commercial, 1,230 Mgal/d; irrigation, 137,000 Mgal/d: livestock, 4,470 Mgal/d; industrial, 25,800 Mgal/d; mining, 3,440 Mgal/d; and thermoelectric power, 187,000 Mgal/d. Water use for hydroelectric power generation, the only instream use compiled in this report, was estimated to be 3,050,000 Mgal/d during 1985, or 7 percent less than during 1980. This is in contrast to an increasing trend that persisted from 1950 to 1980. Estimates of withdrawals by source indicate that, during 1985, total surface-water withdrawals were 325,000 Mgal/d, or 10 percent less than during 1980, and total ground-water withdrawals were 74,000 Mgal/d, or 12 percent less than during 1980. Total saline-water withdrawals during 1985 were 60,300 Mgal/d, or 16 percent less than during 1980; most was saline surface water. Reclaimed sewage averaged about 579 Mgal/d during 1985, or 22 percent more than during 1980. Total freshwater consumptive use was estimated to be 92,300 Mgal/d during 1985, or 9 percent less than during 1980. Consumptive use by irrigation accounted for the largest part of consumptive use during 1985 and was estimated to be 73,800 Mgal/d. A comparison of total withdrawals (fresh and saline) by State indicates that 37 States and Puerto Rico had less water withdrawn for offstream uses during 1985 than during 1980. California accounted for the most water withdrawn for offstream use, 49,700 Mgal/d, more than double the water withdrawn in either Texas or Idaho, the next largest users. A similar comparison by water-resources regions indicates that the California and the South Atlantic-Gulf regions accounted for nearly one-quarter of the total water withdrawn in the United States. Total withdrawals for offstream use in the eastern water-resources regions, which include the Mississippi and Souris Rivers, accounted for 53 percent of the Nation's total withdrawals, compared to 55 percent during 1980. Freshwater consumptive use in the East was about 11 percent of the freshwater withdrawn in the East and accounted for only 21 percent of the Nation's total freshwater consumptive use. By comparison, freshwater consumptive use in the West was about 41 percent of the freshwater withdrawn in the West. The 1985 estimates of total water withdrawals and consumptive use were less than the 1980 estimates; this apparently further confirms a general trend indicated by a slackening in the rate of increase of total withdrawals from 1970 to 1975 and again from 1975 to 1980. Public-supply withdrawals during 1985 were 7 percent more than during 1980, self-supplied domestic withdrawals were 4 percent less, irrigation withdrawals were 6 percent less, livestock withdrawals were 108 percent more, and thermoelectric power Withdrawals were 13 percent less. The combined total for self-supplied industrial, commercial, and mining withdrawals (excluding thermoelectric power) was 30,500 Mgal/d during 1985, or 33 percent less than withdrawals listed for 'other' industries during 1980, which also included commercial and mining uses.

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USGS1983

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1980

Water use in the United States in 1980 was estimated to be an average of 450 bgd (billion gallons per day) of fresh and saline water for offstream uses- an 8-percent increase from the 1975 estimate and a 22-percent increase from the 1970 estimate. Average per capita use for all offstream uses was 2,000 gpd (gallons per day) of fresh and saline water, and 1,600 gpd of fresh water; this represents a slight increase since 1975. Offstream uses include (1) public supply (domestic, public, commercial, and industrial uses), (2) rural (domestic and livestock uses), (3) irrigation, and (4) self-supplied industrial uses (including thermoelectric power). From 1975 to 1980, public supply use increased 15 percent to 34 bgd, rural use increased 14 percent to 5.6 bgd, irrigation use increased 7 percent to 150 bgd, and self-supplied industrial use increased 8 percent to 260 bgd. Within the industrial category, thermoelectric power generation increased 9 percent to 210 bgd, whereas other self-supplied industrial uses remained approximately constant at 45 bgd. Total fresh water consumed- that part of water withdrawn that is no longer available for subsequent use- by these offstream uses increased 7 percent to 100 bgd, with irrigation accounting for the largest part of water consumed, estimated at 83 bgd. Estimates of withdrawals by source indicate that from 1975 to 1980, total groundwater withdrawals increased 7 percent to 89 bgd, and total surface-water withdrawals increased 9 percent to 360 bgd. Total saline-water withdrawals increased by about 2 bgd to 72 bgd, of which 71 bgd was saline surface water. Reclaimed sewage amounted to about 0.5 bgd in 1980, an 11-percent decrease from 1975. Water used for hydroelectric power generation, an instream use, remained unchanged from 1975 at 3,300 bgd. This is in contrast to the increasing trend from 1950 to 1975. Although 1980 estimates of water use were higher than the 1975 estimates for all offstream categories, trends establishing during the periods 1970 to 1975 and 1975 to 1980 indicate a general slackening in the rate of increase of total withdrawls in comparison to the period 1965 to 1970. (USGS)

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USGS1983

Summary of water withdrawals in the United States, 1950-80

Estimated use of water in the United States increased from 180 bgd (billion gallons per day) in 1950 to 450 bgd in 1980. During this same time population increased from about 150 million to about 230 million. Data on consumptive use are not available for the first decade of the period; however, from 1960 to 1980, consumptive use increased from 61 bgd to 100 bgd. From 1950 to 1980, fresh surface-water withdrawals increased from 140 bgd to 290 bgd and fresh ground-water withdrawals increased from 34 bgd to 88 bgd. Withdrawals of saline surface water increased from 10 bgd in 1950 to 71 bgd in 1980. In 1980, 91 percent of the saline surface water withdrawn was used in thermoelectric power plants. Withdrawals of water for domestic purposes nationwide increased from 16 bgd in 1960 to 25 bgd in 1980. The Northeastern States still are the largest users of water for domestic purposes; however, domestic withdrawals in that region declined from 9.6 bgd in 1975 to 8.8 bgd in 1980. Population in that region also showed a slight decline from 1970 to 1980. Irrigation withdrawals nationwide increased from 89 bgd in 1950 to 150 bgd in 1980. The Western States continue to be the largest user of irrigation water, 136 bgd in 1980. Irrigation accounted for 81 percent of the total consumptive use for the Nation in 1980. Industrial withdrawals (exclusive of thermoelectric power generation) increased from 44 bgd in 1960 to about 56 bgd in 1980. The Northeast Region continues to withdraw the largest amount of water for industrial purposes, although withdrawals declined steadily from 33 bgd in 1965 to 27 bgd in 1980. Total withdrawals for thermoelectric power generation increased from about 99 bgd in 1960 to about 210 bgd in 1980. During that period, saline surface water withdrawals increased from 26 bgd to 71 bgd. Thermoelectric plants accounted for 84 percent of saline surface water withdrawals in 1960 compared to 91 percent in 1980. Withdrawals for thermoelectric power generation continue to be the largest in the Northeast, ll3 bgd in 1980, where many of the major industrial and population centers are located. Agriculture (nonirrigation) water withdrawals nationwide increased from 1.6 bgd in 1960 to about 2.2 bgd in 1980. Withdrawals for this purpose in 1980 were about evenly divided between the West and East.

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