Water supplies strained for 30 million americans, new USGS report warns of national water crisis

Climate change and pollution threaten water access for millions across the U.S.

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Quick summary

• Nearly 30 million Americans live in areas with limited water supplies, with socially vulnerable populations disproportionately affected.

• A USGS report highlights widespread contamination in aquifers and waterways, with harmful levels of arsenic, manganese, radionuclides, and nitrate impacting public water supplies.

• Climate change is worsening water challenges through extreme heat, drought, flooding, reduced snow cover, and saltwater intrusion, threatening both water quality and availability.

• Agricultural irrigation remains the largest water user, consuming over 110 million gallons daily, according to the USGS.

• Aquifers across the High Plains and other regions continue to show alarming groundwater depletion, further stressing limited resources.

• President Trump has rolled back multiple environmental policies in his first week back in office, raising concerns about the lack of action on water and climate issues.

• The USGS calls for urgent and coordinated efforts to protect water resources and mitigate the escalating impacts of pollution and climate change.

The United States is grappling with significant water challenges, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which reveals that nearly 30 million Americans live in areas with limited water supplies. The report, based on data from 2010 to 2020, highlights growing concerns over water availability, pollution, and climate change.

“Water availability is an issue everywhere in our country and beyond,” Lori Sprague, USGS national program manager for the water availability assessment, said in a webinar presenting the report. “It raises the question – do we have enough water to sustain our nation’s economy, ecosystems, and drinking water supplies?”

The findings show that approximately 27 million people lived in regions with “a high degree of local water stress” during the assessment period. The report also notes that socially vulnerable populations face a disproportionately higher risk of limited water supplies. Additionally, widespread contamination in aquifers and waterways exacerbates the issue, posing health risks to millions.

“Substantial areas of aquifers that provide about one-third of public water supplies have elevated concentrations of contaminants,” the report noted. These include arsenic, manganese, radionuclides, and nitrate, which disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities reliant on domestic wells for drinking water.

The report underscores the role of climate change in exacerbating water-related challenges. “The amount of water stored within and moving between vapor, liquid, and frozen components of the water cycle is shifting, with substantial consequences for water availability,” the agency warned. Climate impacts such as extreme heat, drought, reduced snow cover, and saltwater intrusion threaten water quality and availability nationwide.

“Climate change impacts water quality as well, with threats posed by rising water temperatures, flooding, and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas,” the report states. These changes also harm aquatic ecosystems, with species like the Arkansas River shiner losing more than 50% of their habitat due to supply and demand imbalances.

Agriculture remains a key driver of water consumption, accounting for over 110 million gallons of water used per day in 2020. The USGS hopes that its new modeling approaches will offer a more comprehensive understanding of water use and inform future conservation strategies.

Environmental advocates have expressed alarm over the Trump administration’s lack of urgency in addressing these issues. In his first week back in office, President Donald Trump has rolled back multiple environmental policies, including measures to combat climate change.

The report highlights the need for coordinated efforts to protect water resources and mitigate the effects of climate change. However, with the current administration prioritizing deregulation over environmental protection, the path forward remains uncertain.

To understand the impact of the water crisis, follow Water.org.

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