Estimated use of water in the United States in 2010

Maupin, Molly A.; Kenny, J.; Hutson, Susan S.; Lovelace, John K.; Barber, Nancy L.; Linsey, Kristin S.

doi:10.3133/sir1405

Cited by 269 publications

(403 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization estimates that the world currently consumes about 70% of available fresh water for irrigation (FAO, 2015). In the United States, irrigation withdrawals were estimated at 435 million m 3 per day in 2010 and accounted for 38% of total freshwater withdrawals (Maupin et al, 2014). In light of projected food needs of a growing world population, significant improvements in agricultural water use efficiency (WUE) leading to more crop per drop should be a high priority across multiple disciplines of science.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scheduling irrigation using an approach based on the van Genuchten model

Liang

Liakos

Wendroth

et al. 2016

Agricultural Water Management

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scheduling irrigation using an approach based on the van Genuchten model

Liang

Liakos

Wendroth

et al. 2016

Agricultural Water Management

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“…Environmental advocates tend to focus on how much of total water withdrawal in the USA is for thermal power plant cooling (∼45 %), while electric utilities and their industry organizations tend to emphasize the proportion of total water consumption goes to thermal power plant operations (∼3 to 4 %) (Solley et al 2009;Maupin et al 2014;Diehl and Harris 2014). These metrics sound similar if one describes water as Bused^instead of specifically as Bconsumed^or Bwithdrawn,^with one percentage seeming large while the other seems small.…”

Section: Example Metrics For a Thermal Power Plantmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Again considering power plants, water consumption (m 3 /kWh) for power generation in a region such as a state or water basin could serve as an absolute-intensive metric, while contribution to a regional economic metric such as gross regional product or total sales of electricity due to water consumption for power generation is an example of a relative-intensive metric. The amount of water withdrawal and consumption for power generation associated with a region is an example of an absolute-extensive metric, with the US Geological Survey acting as the government agency providing estimates for each state (Solley et al 2009;Maupin et al 2014;Diehl and Harris 2014). Lastly, the percentage of water consumption or withdrawal associated with thermal power plant operations in comparison with total regional water availability or human appropriation is categorized as a relative-extensive metric.…”

Section: Example Metrics For a Thermal Power Plantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food–energy–water metrics across scales: project to system level

King¹,

Carbajales‐Dale

2016

J Environ Stud Sci

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Although much theoretical work has been put into stressing the importance of understanding the food-energywater nexus, if this burgeoning focus of inquiry is to have any impact on development pathways, we must advance metrics to guide policy planning and action. In this paper, we outline a framework for establishing such a suite of indicators based on system science and life cycle assessment. We identify a number of considerations that should be addressed including the following: (a) scope, ranging from project level (for example, a thermoelectric power plant) through higher system network levels (industry to national to global-level analysis), and (b) the category of the metric, which is defined by two dimensions, (i) intrinsic vs. extrinsic and (ii) absolute vs. relative units, whether the metric indicates an absolute value (for example m 3 of freshwater consumption or kWh of electricity used by a power plant) or a value relative to an industry/ policy performance benchmark or some environmental indicator (e.g., available water within the basin in which our power plant is located). By understanding the scope and category of metrics derived from economic, life cycle, or other modeling and accounting methods, we understand how various stakeholders are motivated to focus on certain metrics over others. This understanding in turn creates the means to translate between metrics and models for food-energy-water planning and stakeholder collaboration. It should be noted that the primary objective of this paper is to spur discussion, rather than to flesh out a fully formed theoretical framework. We hope, however, that our efforts may prove to be of some use in the crucial discussion of food-energy-water nexus issues.

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“…These results are consistent with those reported elsewhere, for example Horrigan et al (10) and Leitzmann (75) . Considered within a wider context of water use, the average daily indoor and outdoor water consumption per person in the USA is 333 litres (76) . Therefore, per day, the LAP diet conserves the equivalent water usage for just over four people in comparison to the HAP diet.…”

Section: Public Health Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%