Benefits of a National Survey on Water Demand: Existing Data and Reporting Recommendations

The nation faces tremendous costs required to maintain and improve its water and wastewater infrastructure. Effective management of water delivery and treatment systems would benefit from a regular national water demand data collection effort that captures consumption by economic sector as well as by end use. A water demand survey would provide the data necessary to better understand water demand trends, and ultimately to assess implications for water infrastructure needs and the U.S. economy. This report summarizes current publicly available water demand information and recommends data parameters for a national water demand survey.