Indicator 55: Water use
Rationale: A clean and abundant water supply is essential to economic and human health. The use, quality and availability of water are important indicators of future economic and environmental conditions.
About this indicator: Total and per capita water use declined in 2009. This may be a result of the recession.
For comparison: Power generation accounts for the largest share of water use, followed by public water supply, industrial production and irrigation. Power generation draws mostly from surface water and returns the majority of the water to the original source. Some water users rely on a combination of surface and ground waters, called conjunctive use.
Technical notes: Water use for hydropower was not included in the figures for total water use or per capita use.
Sources:
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/wateruse.html
Related 2002 Milestones indicator:
Local data:
Milestones is a product of the Minnesota State Demographic Center, a division of the Department of Administration