Integrated Water Resource Management

As defined by the Global Water Partnership, integrated water resource management is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Resources available within this theme provide guidance on how to conserve and restore watersheds, reduce pollution, adapt to climate change and reduce risks from floods and droughts.

Integrated Water Resource Management Resources

Public Supply Water Use

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Public supply refers to water withdrawn by public and private water suppliers that provide water to at least 25 people or have a minimum of 15 connections. Public-supply water is delivered to users for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes. Part of the total is used for public services,...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Recreational Water Quality

Published: 
July 21, 2021
This web page provides an overview of USGS's research about recreational water quality. It includes related research, publications, news, and a collection of data and tools. The water quality of a nearby lake, a watershed, or along the coast can be enhanced only by collecting good information...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Groundwater/Surface-Water Interaction

Published: 
July 21, 2021
USGS Integrated Watershed Studies seek to better understand and quantify the exchanges at the surface water/groundwater interface. This understanding is used to forecast how the chemical quality of water will change in response to changes in climate, land use, or management practices. Integrated...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Water Quality After Wildfire

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Relatively new research has been aimed at the impacts of wildfires on the quality of drinking water and on water-dependent natural resources. Wildfires are devastating and can lead to long-term changes to the landscape. With a significant amount of our Nation's drinking water sources...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Irrigation Water Use

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Irrigation water use includes water that is applied by an irrigation system to sustain plant growth in agricultural and horticultural practices. Irrigation also includes water that is used for pre-irrigation, frost protection, chemical application, weed control, field preparation, crop cooling,...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)

Published: 
July 21, 2021
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) has produced scientific data and knowledge that is used by national, regional, state, and local agencies to develop science-based policies and management strategies to improve and protect water resources used for drinking water, recreation, irrigation,...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Groundwater Quality

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Even though the ground is an excellent mechanism for filtering out particulate matter, such as leaves, soil, and bugs, dissolved chemicals and gases can still occur in large enough concentrations in groundwater to cause problems. Underground water can get contaminated by industrial, domestic, and...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Groundwater monitoring and research

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Groundwater is an important water resource. The USGS collects information on the quality and quantity of groundwater and conducts advanced modeling of groundwater flow and groundwater/surface-water systems. The USGS also evaluates the effects of water-use, land-use, and climate change on...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Public Supply Wells

Published: 
July 21, 2021
The USGS National Water Quality Program investigates the quality of water pumped from public-supply wells across the United States. These wells are the source of drinking water and water for other household needs for more than one-third of the U.S. population. There are about 140,000 public water...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Rain and Precipitation

Published: 
July 21, 2021
Rain and snow are key elements in the Earth's water cycle, which is vital to all life on Earth. Rainfall is the main way that the water in the skies comes down to Earth, where it fills our lakes and rivers, recharges the underground aquifers, and provides drinks to plants and animals. Water...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

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