Water Use is Impacted by Activity in Utilities, Manufacturing, Mining, & Municipal Sectors

US water use is forecast to total 138 trillion gallons in 2022. Growth in population, electricity generation, and manufacturing output will support water use. Over the 2007-2017 period, water use in volume terms fell at an average annual rate of nearly 1.0%, negatively impacted by factors such as a decline in electricity generation, conservation efforts, and the use of water-efficient technologies (e.g., low-flow toilets and closed-loop power plant cooling systems).

Manufacturing & Mining Market is Expected to Exhibit the Fastest Gains in Water Use

Expanding domestic manufacturing and mining activity are projected to boost water use through 2022. Ongoing water conservation efforts will limit further gains. For example, the mining sector employs water in crushing, heap leaching, and other steps to extract metal from ore, as well as in fluids used in hydraulic fracturing to recover shale gas. However, the mining industry has taken steps to reduce water use, such as employing drip systems instead of sprayers in heap leaching and installing floating covers to reduce evaporative loss from storage ponds.

Water Withdrawal is Forecast to Decline Modestly Through 2022

US water withdrawal is forecast to decline slightly to 122 trillion gallons in 2022. Agriculture will continue to represent a major market for water withdrawal. Domestic planted crop acreage is expected to rise marginally over the forecast period. However, the agriculture industry will continue to adopt technologies (e.g., drought-resistant crop hybrids) to utilize less water.

Want to Learn More?

For in-depth analysis of water trends, see Water: United States, a report published by the Freedonia Focus Reports division of The Freedonia Group. This report contains historical data and analysis of water use and water withdrawal in gallons from 2007-2017 with projections to 2022. Total water use is segmented by market as follows:

• utilities
• manufacturing and mining
• municipal

Total water withdrawal is segmented by market as follows:

• agriculture
• other markets such as utilities and manufacturing

While you are there, you can check out related reports such as Water Filtration Equipment: United States and Water Treatment Chemicals: United States.

About the Author

James Lacy is a Senior Analyst with Freedonia Focus Reports. His experience as an analyst covers multiple industries.