News

Wisconsin water use declined in 2013

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says surface and groundwater use declined six percent in 2013 compared to 2012 reaching a three-year low.  The Department’s annual Wisconsin Water Use and Withdrawal Summary cites cooler temperatures and more normal rainfall as the main reasons for the decline compared to the drought of 2012.

A total of 2.12 trillion gallons of water was withdrawn in 2013: 1.87 trillion gallons was surface water, 250 billion was groundwater.  74 percent of the water drawn was for power generation; 8 percent for municipal use; 5 percent for agricultural irrigation; 5 percent for paper manufacturing; 4 percent for cranberry production and 4 percent for other uses.

Agricultural use declined 24.5 percent from the previous year thanks mainly to a 32 percent drop in irrigation use in July.  Power plant use declined 4 percent and municipal withdrawals were 11.7 percent lower in 2013.

Water supply systems in Wisconsin capable of withdrawing 100,000 gallons per day are required to register and report withdrawals.