National Water Summary Program

Abstract

Recent concerns about impending water crises related to quantity and/or quality of water have increased public interest in the condition of the Nation's water resources.Although the country must deal with a number of serious regional and local water-quality and water-supply issues, the Nation as a whole is not running out of water.The long-term or renewable supply of water in streams and aquifers of the 48 conterminous States is about 1.4 trillion gallons per day.That is more than 3 times the present daily rate of freshwater withdrawals in the Nation and about 14 times the rate of consumptive use of water (water that is not available for immediate reuse).These facts in themselves, however, do not guarantee that adequate water supplies of an acceptable quality will be available when and where needed.Periodic analysis of national water conditions and the identification of water issues have long been recognized as points of departure in evaluating the effectiveness of water programs and in formulating water-policy options.The Congress, for example, has mandated that a number of Federal agencies periodically examine their naturalresources policies and programs in the context of changing resource conditions.These analyses depend upon information about the condition of water resources and the changes that occur as water supplies are developed and used.The U.S. Geological Survey established the National Water Summary Program to help organize such water information for use by those who prepare water assessments and to increase public understanding of the nature, geographic distribution, magnitude, and trends of the Nation's water resources. GOALS AND OBJECTIVESThe overall goal of the National Water Summary Program is to keep the Congress, Federal, State, and local officials, resource managers, and the general public informed about changes and trends in the availability, quantity, quality , and use of water resources and to present water information in ways that aid the analysis and develop-