The Most Water-Consuming States Are The Ones In Drought

The Most Water-Consuming States Are The Ones In Drought Domestic water use, which includes indoor and outdoor water use at residences, accounts for only one percent of total water use in the United States -- most water is used for irrigation and power generation. When a state's in drought, however, as most of the western U.S. currently is, focus shifts to how residents can cut their water use. In dry climates, up to 60 percent of a household's daily water is used outdoors, much of it for watering plants and lawns. Experts estimate that about half of that is wasted due to evaporation, wind or runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods. Drought intensity, as of July 15, 2014, and domestic water usage* per capita, per day, 2005** Abnormally dry I Severe drought Exceptional drought Moderate drought Extreme drought NORTHEAST 72 gallons per capita, per day MIDWEST 82 gallons per capita, per day WEST 138 gallons per capita, per day SOUTH 95 gallons per capita, per day Domestic water usage* per capita, per day, in gallons, 2005**, and percent of state in drought Percent of state in drought O 100% • 50% • 25% WEST SOUTH MIDWEST NORTHEAST 200 150 100 50 *Domestic water use includes indoor and outdoor uses at residences **The most recent available data on domestic water use is from 2005, though according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 2005 per capita domestic water usage rate is similar to that of the 1995 per capita domestic water usage rate, the latest previous year for which rates are available. In this graphic, we have assumed that per capita domestic water usage rates have not changed dramatically in the past ten years, as they did not in the previous ten years. Sources: U.S. Drought Monitor, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency THE HUFFINGTON POST