Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for 

the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically 

Similar Areas 

By Kimberly H. Shaffer and Donna L. Runkle 

National Water Availability and Use Program 

Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5197 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2007 

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Suggested citation:
 

Shaffer, K.H., and Runkle, D.L., 2007, Consumptive water-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 


similar areas: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5197, 191 p. 

 

 

 

 

 

iii 

Contents 

Part 1—Main Report 

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1
 

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1
 

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................2
 

Overview of Report......................................................................................................................2
 

Methods.........................................................................................................................................8
 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category .......................................................................14
 

Domestic and Public Supply .............................................................................................................17
 

Industrial...............................................................................................................................................30
 

Industrial Use by Major Standard Industrial Classification Codes ...................................38
 

Thermoelectric Power .......................................................................................................................46
 

Irrigation...............................................................................................................................................53
 

Livestock...............................................................................................................................................61
 

Commercial..........................................................................................................................................66
 

Mining...................................................................................................................................................69
 

Comparison of Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Area ........................................................................73
 

Summary and Conclusions.........................................................................................................................75
 

Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................75
 

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................76
 

Glossary.........................................................................................................................................................83
 

Part 2—Annotated Bibliography and Appendixes 

Annotated Bibliography..............................................................................................................................85
 

Appendix 1. Tables from U.S. Geological Survey Circulars on estimated use of water 


in the United States, 1960–1995 ....................................................................................120
 

Appendix 2. Tables from 1983 Census of Manufacturing.................................................................152
 

Appendix 3. Tables from Great Lakes Commission documents......................................................176
 

Appendix 4. Tables from “Water Demands in the Canadian section of the Great 


Lakes Basin” .....................................................................................................................185
 

Appendix 5. Tables from “The Nation’s Water Resources, 1975” ..................................................187 


Figures 

1–4. Maps showing: 

1.	 The Great Lakes surface-water basin..............................................................................4
 

2.	 States considered climatically similar to the Great Lakes States...............................5
 

3.	 Percent consumptive loss in the conterminous United States, by 


water-resources region, in 1995........................................................................................6
 

4.	 Water-resources regions used in selection of climatically similar States................7
 

5.	 Representation of consumptive use by a single facility where consumptive use 


is equal to withdrawal minus return flow .................................................................................9
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iv 

6.	 A diagrammatic example of calculating consumptive use with a water-use 


balancing equation.....................................................................................................................11
 

7.	 Schematic of the summary tables of consumptive-use coefficients for the 


Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world .............................................13
 

8.	 Graphs showing water use and consumptive use in the United States part of 


the Great Lakes Basin in 1995 and water use and consumptive use in the 


United States and Canadian part of the Great Lakes Basin in 2002...................................15
 

9.	 Boxplot showing the distribution of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use 


coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas ..............................24
 

10.	 Map showing domestic consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for 


the Great Lakes States...............................................................................................................26
 

11.	 Graph showing median industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the 


Great Lakes States and climatically similar states from 1960 to 1995, from 


USGS Circulars............................................................................................................................30
 

12.	 Boxplot showing the distribution of industrial consumptive-use coefficients for 


the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas ..........................................................34
 

13.	 Map showing industrial consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for 


the Great Lakes States...............................................................................................................35
 

14.	 Map showing thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients from various 


sources for the Great Lake States ...........................................................................................51
 

15.	 Boxplot showing the distribution of thermoelectric power consumptive-use 


coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin andclimatically similar areas ...............................52
 

16.	 Boxplot showing the distribution of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for 


the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas ..........................................................57
 

17.	 Map showing irrigation consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for 

Great Lakes States .....................................................................................................................58
 

18–20. Boxplots showing the distribution of:
 

18.	 Livestock consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 


climatically similar areas..................................................................................................65
 

19.	 Commercial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 


climatically similar areas..................................................................................................68
 

20.	 Mining consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 


climatically similar areas..................................................................................................72
 

Tables 

1.	 Appendix guide .............................................................................................................................3
 

2.	 Consumptive-use definitions ......................................................................................................8
 

3.	 Consumptive-use processes ......................................................................................................8
 

4.	 Consumptive-use computation methods................................................................................10
 

5.	 Consumptive-use complexities ................................................................................................10
 

6.	 Examples of calculating consumptive use and return flow using a 


consumptive-use coefficient for self supplied facilities ......................................................11
 

7.	 Water use and consumptive use in the U.S. part of the Great Lakes Basin in 1995........14
 

8.	 Water use and consumptive use in the Great Lakes Basin in the United States 


and Canada, 2002........................................................................................................................14
 

9.	 Consumptive-use coefficient statistics for water-use categories for the 


Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world .............................................16
 

10.	 Summary-table terms and descriptions..................................................................................18
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 

11.	 Summary of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for 


the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world ......................................19
 

12.	 References that include discussions on unaccounted-for water (conveyance 


losses and public uses) .............................................................................................................23
 

13.	 Selected state standards for unaccounted-for water (water losses)...............................23
 

14.	 Summary statistics of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients 


from Great Lakes Commission annual reports, 1998–2002 and USGS Circulars, 


1988–98 .........................................................................................................................................25
 

15.	 Consumptive-use-coefficient statistics for domestic and public-supply water-use 


categories for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas ................................25
 

16.	 Public-supply or domestic water withdrawals, consumptive use, and 


consumptive-use coefficients listed by continent, for selected years from 


1900 through 1995 .......................................................................................................................28
 

17.	 Domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for major countries, 


continents, and the world..........................................................................................................29
 

18.	 Public-supply water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 


coefficients listed by European regions for selected years from 1980 through 1995......29
 

19.	 Summary of industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, 


climatically similar areas, and the world................................................................................31
 

20.	 Summary statistics of industrial consumptive-use coefficients from selected 


references....................................................................................................................................34
 

21.	 Industrial water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 


coefficients, by continent, for selected years from 1900 through 1995 .............................37
 

22.	 Industrial consumptive-use coefficients for major countries, continents, 


and the world ..............................................................................................................................37
 

23.	 Industrial water withdrawal, consumptive use, and consumptive-use coefficients 


for European regions for selected years from 1980 through 1995......................................38
 

24.	 Industrial consumptive use for six industrial major-group categories with the 


largest consumptive use in the Great Lakes Basin in 1983 .................................................39
 

25.	 Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry 


groups...........................................................................................................................................39
 

26.	 Summary statistics for industrial consumptive-use coefficients listed in table 25 


for six industrial groups .............................................................................................................44
 

27.	 Ethanol-production water use, return flow, and consumptive-use coefficients .............45
 

28.	 Industries with a consumptive-use coefficient greater than 30 percent in 1983 ............45
 

29.	 Summary of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients for the 


Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas .................................................................47
 

30.	 Summary statistics of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients from 


selected references ...................................................................................................................50
 

31.	 Summary of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, 


climatically similar areas, and the world................................................................................54
 

32.	 Summary statistics of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients from selected 


references....................................................................................................................................56
 

33.	 Agricultural water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 


coefficients, by continent, for selected years from 1900 through 1995 .............................59
 

34.	 Agricultural water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 


coefficients for European regions for selected years from 1980 through 1995................60
 

35.	 Agriculture consumptive-use coefficients for large countries, continents, 


and the world...............................................................................................................................60
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vi 

36.	 Summary of livestock consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, 


climatically similar areas, and the world................................................................................62
 

37.	 Summary statistics of livestock consumptive-use coefficients for selected 


references ...................................................................................................................................64
 

38.	 Livestock consumptive-use coefficient statistics for the Great Lakes Basin, 


climatically similar areas, and all references including and excluding 


Solley and others (1998) and excluding agriculture coefficients .......................................65
 

39.	 Summary of commercial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin 


and climatically similar areas...................................................................................................67
 

40.	 Summary statistics of commercial consumptive-use coefficients for selected 


references....................................................................................................................................68
 

41.	 Summary of mining consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, 


climatically similar areas, and Canada from 1975 through 2004.........................................70
 

42.	 Summary statistics for mining consumptive-use coefficients from selected 


references....................................................................................................................................72
 

43.	 Consumptive-use coefficient statistics for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically 


similar areas, and the world, by water-use category...........................................................74
 

1–1.	 Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes 


Basin and Great Lakes States ................................................................................................120
 

1–2.	 Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin.....................................122
 

1–3.	 Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes 


Basin and Great Lakes States ................................................................................................125
 

1–4.	 Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin.....................................127
 

1–5.	 Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, 


and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the 


Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States..........................................................................130
 

1–6.	 Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, 


and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the water-


resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin .................132
 

1–7.	 Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes 


Basin and Great Lakes States ................................................................................................135
 

1–8.	 Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin.....................................137
 

1–9.	 Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes 


Basin and Great Lakes States ................................................................................................140
 

1–10.	 Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin.....................................142
 

1–11.	 Animal specialties water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, 


and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the 


Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States..........................................................................145
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vii 

1–12. Animal specialties water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, 


and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-


resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin .................146
 

1–13. Commercial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes 


Basin and Great Lakes States ................................................................................................147
 

1–14. Commercial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes States ...................................148
 

1–15. Mining water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the 


Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States..........................................................................149
 

1–16. Mining water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 


consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources 


regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes States ...................................150
 

2–1. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for 


Great Lakes States ...................................................................................................................152
 

2–2. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for states 


climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin.......................................................................152
 

2–3. Census of Manufacturing: water use in manufacturing by water-resources 


regions and major standard industrial classification groups; total withdrawals, 


water discharged, and calculated consumptive-use coefficients for the 


Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas in 1983..................................................153
 

2–4. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for major 


groups.........................................................................................................................................155
 

2–5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry 


groups and individual industries ............................................................................................157
 

3–1. Consumptive-use coefficients used by Great Lakes jurisdictions, by water-use 


category .....................................................................................................................................176
 

3–2. Total water use by category for the Great Lakes Basin, by year, from the 


Great Lakes Commission annual reports, 1998–2002..........................................................177
 

3–3. Self-supplied industrial water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes 


Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002 ...........................................................................178
 

3–4. Fossil fuel power water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, 


by jurisdiction and years, 1998–2002 .....................................................................................179
 

3–5. Nuclear power water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, 


by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002 .......................................................................................180
 

3–6. Public-supply water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, 


by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002 .......................................................................................181
 

3–7. Domestic-supply water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, 


by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002 .......................................................................................182
 

3–8. Irrigation water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by 


jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002.............................................................................................183
 

3–9. Livestock water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by 


jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002.............................................................................................184
 

4–1. Manufacturing water intake, consumption, and derived consumptive-use 


coefficients for the Canadian part of the Great Lakes Basin, 1972–91............................185
 

4–2. Water intake, consumption, and derived consumptive-use coefficients for 


agriculture, electric power, water and other utilities, and wholesale and 


retail trade in the Canadian part of the Great Lakes Basin, 1972–91 ...............................186
 
 

 

 

viii 

5–1. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for agriculture, irrigation, 

and livestock during base conditions....................................................................................187
 

5–2. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for steam electrical and 

manufacturing withdrawals during base conditions..........................................................188
 

5–3. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for commercial and domestic 

water-use categories during base conditions.....................................................................190
 

5–4. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for mining water-use 

categories during base conditions ........................................................................................191
 

Conversion Factors and Abbreviations 

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm) 

inch per year (in/yr) 25.4 millimeter per year (mm/yr) 

Area 

square mile (mi2

) 259.0 hectare (ha) 

square mile (mi2

) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume 

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

million gallons (Mgal) 3,785 cubic meter (m3

) 

billion gallons (Ggal) 0.3785 cubic hectometer (hm3

) 

cubic meter (m3

) 0.0008107 acre-foot (acre-ft) 

million cubic meters (Mm3

) 810.7 acre-foot (acre-ft) 

Rate 

cubic foot per second (ft3

/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s) 

gallon per day (gal/d) 0.003785 cubic meter per day (m3

/d) 

gallon per kilowatthour (gal/kWh) 0.003785 cubic meter per day (m3

/kWh) 

million gallons per day (Mgal/d) 0.04381 cubic meter per second (m3

/s) 

billion gallons per day (Ggal/d) 43.81 cubic meter per second (m3

/s) 

cubic kilometer per year (km3

/yr) 0.2399 cubic mile per year (mi3/yr) 

million liters per hectare (ML/ha) 0.1069 million gallons per acre (Mgal/ 

acre) 

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: 

°C = (°F-32)/1.8 

Electricity-generation rates are given in kilowatthours (kWh) and gigawatthours (GWh). 

Additional abbreviations used in this report 

Circular Refers to one or a group of U.S. Geological Survey reports titled “Estimated Water use in 

the United States in [year]” that were published every 5 years from 1950 to 2000. 

GLC Great Lakes Commission 

HUC Hydrologic Unit Code 

IJC International Joint Commission 

NAICS North American Industrial Classification System 

SIC Standard Industrial Classification 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 
 

 

Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes 

Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

By Kimberly H. Shaffer and Donna L. Runkle 

Abstract 

Consumptive water use is the portion of water withdrawn (for a particular use) that is evaporated, transpired, 

incorporated into products or crops, consumed by humans or 

livestock, or otherwise removed from the immediate water 

environment. This report, which is organized by water-use 

categories, includes consumptive-use coefficients for the Great 

Lakes Basin (including Canada) and for areas climatically 

similar to the Great Lakes Basin. This report also contains an 

annotated bibliography of consumptive water-use coefficients. 

Selected references are listed for consumptive-use data from 

elsewhere in the world. 

For the industrial water-use category, the median consumptive-use coefficients were 10 percent for the Great Lakes 

Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world; the 25th and 

75th percentiles for these geographic areas were comparable 

within 6 percent. The combined domestic and public-supply 

consumptive-use statistics (median, 25th and 75th percentiles) 

were between 10 to 20 percent for the various geographic 

areas. Although summary statistics were similar for coefficients in the livestock and irrigation water-use categories for 

the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas, statistic 

values for the world on a whole were substantially lower (15 

to 28 percent lower). Commercial and thermoelectric power 

consumptive-use coefficient statistics (median, 25th, and 

75th percentile) also were comparable for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas, within 2 percent. References for other countries were not found for commercial and 

thermoelectric power water-use categories. The summary 

statistics for the mining consumptive-use coefficients varied, 

likely because of differences in types of mining, processes, or 

equipment. 

Introduction 

This report is part of a series of reports by the U.S. Geological Survey National Assessment of Water Availability and 

Use Program for the Great Lakes Basin1, a program designed 

to gain a clearer understanding of water-use, land-use, and 

climatic trends in our Nation’s water resources. Preliminary 

discussions with state agencies have indicated that refinement 

of consumptive-use data and coefficients is an area of great 

interest and value to water-supply managers (Grannemann 

and Reeves, 2005). These consumptive-use coefficients were 

compiled and an annotated bibliography was prepared for the 

Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas. 

Consumptive use is water that is evaporated, transpired, 

incorporated into products or crops, consumed by humans 

or livestock, or otherwise removed from an immediate water 

environment (water body, surface- or ground-water source, 

basin). Water-resource planners and managers use consumptive water use to understand the effect of human use of water 

on the hydrologic system. When the hydrologic system 

includes an area shared by two countries, as is the Great Lakes 

Basin, it is important to thoroughly understand how water is 

consumed and unavailable for use. It is equally important to 

understand the measures needed to document current levels of 

consumptive use and develop policies that will optimize the 

use and reuse of water as much as possible. 

Two common methods of computing consumptive use are 

with a water-balance equation or a consumptive-use coefficient. Because more detailed data are needed to use a waterbalance equation, consumptive use frequently is estimated 

with coefficients. A consumptive-use coefficient, as defined 

for this report, is the percentage of water removed from the 

immediate environment by evaporation, transpiration, incorporation into products or crops, or consumption by humans or 

livestock. 

1

 Bolded terms are defined in the glossary. 
2 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Purpose and Scope 

The purpose of this report is to present a compilation of 

consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas. The report can serve as a starting 

point for facility managers, water managers, and scientists to 

compute water consumption and return flow. The data and 

coefficients were assembled by water-use category to address 

the following questions: 

•	 Within a given water-use category, is there a small 

range of coefficients reported in most references? 

•	 How do the coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas compare to each other and to 

world coefficients? 

•	 What methods and data were used in previous studies 

to calculate consumptive use? 

•	 What consumptive-use data and coefficients are available? 

The report contains 

•	 consumptive-use coefficients for domestic and publicsupply, industrial, industrial use by major standard 

industrial classification codes, thermoelectric power, 

irrigation, livestock, commercial, and mining water-use 

categories; 

•	 a selected statistical analysis; 

•	 summary tables by geographic area and water-use 

category; 

•	 an annotated bibliography of references with consumptive-use coefficients; and 

•	 an appendix with detailed consumptive-use coefficient 

tables from selected references 

for the Great Lakes Basin and areas climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin, and selected references for elsewhere in 

the world. 

Overview of Report 

The different parts of the report are designed to work 

together. Overall summaries of consumptive-use coefficients 

by geographic area (table 9) and water-use category (table 43) 

provide an overview of the coefficient ranges. More detailed 

discussions about the consumptive-use coefficients are in the 

water-use categories sections (domestic and public-supply, 

industrial, industrial use by major standard industrial classification codes, thermoelectric power, irrigation, livestock, 

commercial, and mining). The water-use categories sections 

include coefficient summary tables and boxplots showing the 

distribution of the coefficients. More information about the 

coefficients presented in each water-use category summary 

table can be found in the annotated consumptive-use bibliography, which contains about 100 references. Tables from 

references with multiple tables or references that are part of 

a series of publications are in the appendixes (a guide to the 

appendixes is shown in table 1). 

The intent of this report is to compile consumptive-use 

coefficients from publications, rather than determine the 

validity of the coefficients. The information in the annotated 

bibliography describes the coefficients and presents some of 

the methods and assumptions used by the source to determine 

the coefficients. Many references did not include an approach 

or methodology for their consumptive-use data or coefficients. 
Introduction 3 

Table 1. Appendix guide. 

Appendix 

table(s) Reference(s) Water-use categories Description 

1-1 to 1-16 Murray, 1968 

Murray and Reeves, 1972 

Murray and Reeves, 1977 

Solley and others, 1983 

Solley and others, 1988 

Solley and others, 1993 

Solley and others, 1998 

Domestic 1-1 and 1-2 

Industrial 1-3 and 1-4 

Thermoelectric 1-5 and 1-6 

Irrigation 1-7 and 1-8 

Livestock 1-9 and 1-10 

Animal specialties 1-11, 1-12 

Commercial 1-13, 1-14 

Mining 1-15, 1-16 

Consumptive-use coefficients from 

USGS 5-year compilation reports 

aggregated by water-use categories 

for the (1) Great Lakes Basin and 

Great Lakes States and (2) water 

resources regions and states 

climatically similar to the Great 

Lakes States 

2-1 to 2-5 U.S. Bureau of Census, 1986 Industrial 2-1 to 2-5 Consumptive-use coefficients, and 

water use and consumptive use 

data from the 1983 Census of 

Manufacturing. 

3-1 to 3-9 Pebbles, 2003b 

Great Lakes Commission, 

Annual Reports, 2005a 

Public supply 3-1, 3-2, and 3-6 

Domestic 3-1, 3-2, and 3-7 

Industrial 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 

Thermoelectric 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5 

Irrigation 3-1, 3-2, and 3-8 

Livestock 3-1, 3-2, and 3-9 

Consumptive-use coefficients by Great 

Lakes jurisdictions and water use 

and consumptive use data for annual 

reports 1998 to 2002. 

4-1 to 4-2 Tate and Harris, 1999a Public supply 4-2 

Industrial 4-1 

Thermoelectric power 4-2 

Agriculture 4-2 

Consumptive-use coefficients and water 

intake and consumption data for 

water-use categories in the Canadian 

portion of the Great Lakes Basin. 

5-1 to 5-4 Water Resources Council 

(U.S.), 1978 

Domestic 5-3 

Industrial 5-2 

Thermoelectric 5-2 

Irrigation 5-1 

Livestock 5-1 

Consumptive-use coefficients, and 

water intake and consumptive use 

data for water resources regions in 

the United States. 

Commercial 5-3 

Mining 5-4 
4 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Figure 1. The Great Lakes surface-water basin. 

This report compares two main areas: the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas to the Great Lakes Basin 

in North America. The Great Lakes Basin (fig. 1) includes 

parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the entire state of Michigan, and 

parts of Ontario and Quebec. 

In many publications, consumptive-use values or coefficients have been determined for the entire state or province 

and not just the Great Lakes Basin portion. The coefficients 

from these publications were assumed to be representative of 

the Great Lakes Basin because they could not be separated by 

river basin or water-resources region. The state- or provincebased coefficients were identified as such in the text, figures, 

and tables. 
Introduction 5 

90° 80° 70° 

Wisconsin New 

Hampshire 

Michigan New York Massachusetts 

Iowa Rhode Island 

40° 

Pennsylvania Connecticut 

Illinois Ohio New Jersey 

Indiana 

Missouri 

West 

Virginia Maryland 

Delaware 

Kentucky Virginia 

EXPLANATION

0 150 300 MILES 

Tennessee Great Lakes Basin States 

States climatically 

similar to the Great 

0 180 360 KILOMETERS Lakes 

45° 

Minnesota CANADA Maine

Vermont 

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:2,000,000 Digital Data; Albers Equal-Area 


Conic Projection, -5° rotation; standard parallels 29°30' and 45°30', central meridian -96°
 

Figure 2. States considered climatically similar to the Great Lakes States. 

Consumptive use and consumptive-use coefficients are percent consumptive loss for water-resources regions (fig. 3), 

a function of climate, economics, and culture. Choice of and water use in the state. Hutson and others (2004b) found 

the climatically similar states (fig. 2) was based on patterns that six water-resources regions (Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, 

of temperature and precipitation (Prism Group, 2006a, b), New England, Ohio, Tennessee, and Upper Mississippi) had 

water-resources regions (Solley and others, 1998), comparable comparable percent consumptive losses (fig. 4). 
6 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, Hydrologic Unit Boundaries, scale 1:2,000,000 MILES

KILOMETERS

Figure 3. Percent consumptive loss in the conterminous United States, by water-resources region, in 1995. (From Hutson and 

others, 2004b and Solley and others, 1996) 
 

 

7 

40 ° 45 ° 

Introduction 

90 ° 80 ° 70 ° 

EXPLANATION 

Water-Resources Regions 

New England 

Mid-Atlantic 

Great Lakes 

Ohio River 

Tennessee Valley 0 150 300 MILES 

Upper Mississippi 

0 180 360 KILOMETERS 

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:2,000,000 Digital Data; Albers Equal-Area 


Conic Projection, -5° rotation; standard parallels 29°30' and 45°30', central meridian -96°
 

Figure 4. Water-resources regions used in selection of climatically similar States. 

These water-resources regions (fig. 4) and the major 

states in these regions (fig. 2) are considered part of the 

scope of this report. These states have annual precipitation of 

28–60 in. (1971–2000) and average minimum temperatures 

of 21 to 49°F (1971 to 2000); (Prism Group, 2006a, b). States 

south of Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia had average minimum temperatures greater than 49°F (Prism Group, 2006a). 

States west of Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri have areas with 

annual precipitation of less than 24 in. (from 1971 to 2000; 

Prism, 2006b) and many of these states reported irrigation 

as the primary water-use category (excluding thermoelectric 

power; Hutson and others, 2004a). 

As part of this report, a search for world, continent, and 

country consumptive-use coefficients was conducted. Only a 

few references were found, and they are included in this report 

as a basis of comparison with the coefficients of Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas. Most of these coefficients 

were geographically broad (large countries, continents, or the 

world), in areas of the world not climatically similar, and in 

countries with economic and cultural differences. Therefore, 

these references though not included with the climatically 

similar references, were kept in the report to broaden the 

understanding of the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas consumptive-use coefficients. 

The terms “consumptive-use coefficient” and “consumptive crop irrigation coefficient” are used in relation to coefficients used in agriculture modeling to estimate evaporation 

and transpiration in crop irrigation (American Society of Civil 

Engineers, 1973; Kite and Droogers, 2000). These coefficients 

are not included in this document because almost all the references were in areas not climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin and the primary water-use category for these areas was 

irrigation (excluding thermoelectric). Stream, lake, and reservoir evaporation losses were not addressed in this report. 

Many publications included consumptive-use coefficients 

derived from another reference. References not adding value 

to the understanding of consumptive-use coefficients were not 

included in the report. References using a coefficient from 

another reference or combination of other references to compute consumptive use were included in the report and statistical computations if they fit the geographic area and timeframe 

of the statistics. 

Some publications use the words “consumptive use” to 

mean “water use” (or water withdrawals). In this report, water 

use is defined as water that is withdrawn for a specific purpose 

like irrigation, industrial processing, public supply, or thermoelectric power. 
8 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Methods 

Table 2 includes consumptive-use definitions from 

multiple references. For the most part, these definitions show 

agreement that consumptive use is water that is evaporated, 

Table 2. Consumptive-use definitions. 

[Reference is the publication that contains the consumptive-use definition.] 

transpired, or incorporated into products or crops, consumed 

by humans or livestock or otherwise removed from an immediate water environment (water body, surface or ground water 

source, basin, Great Lakes Basin). The consumptive-use processes are described in greater detail in table 3. 

Reference Consumptive-use definition 

Solley and others, 1998 That part of water withdrawn that is evaporated, transpired, or incorporated into products or 

crops, consumed by humans or livestock, or otherwise removed from the immediate water 

environment. 

Great Lakes Commission, 2003 That portion of water withdrawn or withheld from the Great Lakes Basin and assumed to be 

lost or otherwise not returned to the Great Lakes Basin due to evapotranspiration, incorporation into products, or other processes. 

International Joint Commission, 

2004 

That portion of water withdrawn which is evaporated, transpired from plants, incorporated 

into products, or otherwise lost, and thus is not available for further use in the basin. 

Government of Canada and the 

U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1995 

The permanent removal of water from a water body. Consumptive use may be due to evaporation or incorporation of water into a manufactured product. 

Water Resources Council, 1978 Portion of surface or ground water withdrawn for off-stream uses that is lost by evapotranspiration or by incorporation into a manufactured product. 

Table 3. Consumptive-use processes. 

Consumptive-use processes Definitions and examples 

Evaporation Water that is changed from a liquid form into a vapor state such as water evaporating from 

pools, large bodies of water, runoff from car washing or irrigation systems, evaporation 

through dehumidifiers, heating and cooling processes in industrial facilities and thermoelectric plants. 

Transpiration The process where water is absorbed by plants, usually from the roots and evaporated into 

the atmosphere from the plant surface. Transpiration occurs in all types of plants including 

crops, grass (lawns, golf courses), landscaping plants, and nursery plants. 

Evapotranspiration The collective term used to include water discharged to the atmosphere as a result of plant 

transpiration and evaporation from soil and surface-water bodies. 

Product incorporation Water is used to make industrial, food, and beverage products. A few examples are canned 

food, frozen food, soda, beer, wine, bottled water, juice, chemical and cleaning products, 

and pharmaceutical products. 

Livestock and human consumption Water that hydrates humans and livestock and is not returned. Livestock includes chickens, 

cows, horses, beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other animals. 
 

Figure 5. Representation of consumptive use by a single facility where consumptive use is equal to

withdrawal minus return flow (Mgal/d, million gallons per day).

 9 

Evaporation from heating and cooling processes in industrial facilities is an 

example of consumptive use. 

Introduction 

Water-use activities begin when water is diverted or withdrawn from surface- or ground-water sources and conveyed to 

a place of use. A withdrawal is made by a self-supplied user or 

by a public supply facility (also known as a community water 

system). 

Water use by a self-supplied user can be from a single 

user, or aggregate of users (group of users in a specific geographic area), and it refers to water that is actually used for a 

specific purpose, such as irrigation, industrial processing, or 

domestic activities in a household (such as drinking or bathing) to name a few. All the water-use categories except public 

supply are for self-supplied users. Public-supply facilities 

typically need a more complex equation to calculate consumptive use depending on the withdrawals, transfers (imports and 

exports), unaccounted-for water, return flow, infiltration and 

inflow. Consumptive use for self-supplied users (typically) can 

be calculated using the simple equation (fig. 5): 

Consumptive use = Withdrawal – Return flows (1) 

This is a condensed version of the equation from LaTour 

(1991): 

Consumptive use = 

(Deliveries + self-supplied withdrawals) 

– (Releases to sewage-treatment plants 

+ direct returns to surface- and ground-water 

sources) (2) 

Stream 

Consumptive 

use (steam) 

0.2 Mgal/d 

1.0 Mgal/d 

withdrawal 

Consumptive use (0.2 Mgal/d) = Withdrawal (1.0 Mgal/d) - return flow (0.8 Mgal/d) 

Facility 

0.8 Mgal/d 

return flow 

Cooling

 tower 

Figure 5. Representation of consumptive use by a single facility where consumptive use is equal to withdrawal 

minus return flow. (Mgal/d, million gallons per day) 
10 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

LaTour (1991) also assumed that “conveyance losses or 

gains” (unaccounted-for water or inflow and infiltration) were 

zero for self-suppliers. 

Consumptive use can be computed as a measurement at 

a self-supplied facility using these equations, or more commonly, is based on a coefficient that is a percentage of the 

withdrawal rates. Table 4 lists methods to determine consumptive use—the accuracy decreases and uncertainty increases by 

the methods down the table. 

The availability and quality of data limit the use of the 

balancing equations and limit the research and refinement 

of consumptive-use coefficients. Additional complexities of 

consumptive use are discussed in table 5. 

Table 4. Consumptive-use computation methods. 

Unaccounted-for water includes conveyance losses and public uses. 

Consumptive-use computation 

methods Explanation 

Facility level Consumptive use is calculated at the facility level by subtracting return flow and release to 

the sewer system from withdrawal and delivery from a community water system. 

Similar facilities Consumptive use can be estimated by applying information such as meter readings and observations from a few facilities to an entire group of facilities (for example, car washes) to 

determine a consumptive-use coefficient. 

Water-use categories Consumptive use can be estimated by water-use category, such as commercial use, by applying a very general consumptive-use coefficient. 

Groups of water-use categories Consumptive use can be estimated by groups of water-use categories, such as public supply, 

which is a combination of domestic, commercial, industrial, and unaccounted-for water. 

Table 5. Consumptive-use complexities. 

Consumptive-use complexities Explanation 

Data availability By jurisdictions, water use data and the data quality differ significantly. This hinders the ability to compare data by jurisdictions and truly analyze water availability and consumptive 

use. 

Time and area Water is in the hydrologic cycle in different locations on earth as liquid, precipitation, or 

condensation. Water removed from an environment might take days, months, years, or millions of years to return to that location, if it ever returns. At what specific timeframe is the 

water considered “consumed” versus still being used and returnable for reuse? 

Water transfer Water that is withdrawn might be returned to a different water body, or basin (a transfer). 

This becomes complex because the water is no longer available for use at the original environment (body of water, basin) but is available for use elsewhere (water was transferred). 

Water quality The degradation of quality of the returned water could also limit its reuse. 
Introduction 11 

Two methods are commonly used to compute consump- ing equation. The second method to compute consumptive use 

tive use. The first is by using a balancing equation (fig. 6). is to use consumptive-use coefficients (table 6). 

Withdrawal and return flow data are needed to use this balancWithdrawal = + Consumptive 

use 

Return 

flow 

Rearrange the equation to 

= Consumptive 

use 0.2 Mgal/d 

= – Consumptive 

use 

Withdrawal Return 

flow 

= 1.5 Mgal/d – 1.3 Mgal/d Consumptive 

use 

Figure 6. An example of calculating consumptive use with a water-use balancing equation. (Mgal/d, million 

gallons per day) 

Table 6. Examples of calculating consumptive use and return flow using a consumptive-use coefficient for self supplied 

facilities. 

[Consumptive use is calculated by multiplying the coefficient times withdrawals and dividing by 100. Return flow is calculated by subtracting the 

consumptive use from the withdrawals. Mgal/d, million gallons per day] 

Water-use category 

Consumptive-use 

coefficients 

(in percent) 

Withdrawals 

(Mgal/d) 

Consumptive use 

(Mgal/d) 

Return flow 

(Mgal/d) 

Irrigation 90 1.60 1.44 0.16 

Domestic 15 3.20 .48 2.72 

Industrial 10 2.22 .22 2.00 

Data availability, time and areal aspects, water transfers, and water quality make understanding and computing consumptive use complex. For example, the 

mobility of livestock, limited data, and animals’ impact on water quality make livestock water use difficult to assess. 
 

 

 

 

 

12 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

The consumptive-use coefficients compiled in this report 

were determined by three techniques: 

•	 The first technique is to find references listing a 

consumptive-use coefficient, identified by “coefficient” in the “Coefficient or other” column in the 

water-use category summary tables. The summary 

tables are explained in figure 7. Coefficients listed as 

ratios rather than percentages are multiplied by 100 

for presentation in this report. In many references, 

this coefficient was used to estimate consumptive use 

by multiplying it by total withdrawals of a geographic 

area. The origins of the consumptive-use coefficients 

or data (withdrawals, consumptive use, and (or) return 

flow) were not always known or reported by the 

author(s). If the author referenced another source, that 

source is listed in the annotated bibliography. Some 

of these coefficients were derived in consumptive-use 

studies, whereas other coefficients were assumed in 

order to calculate consumptive use. References with 

consumptive-use analysis are discussed in more detail 

in the water-use categories sections of this report. 

•	 The second technique uses references listing withdrawal data and consumption data, indicated by a 

“CW” in the “Coefficient or other” column in the 

water-use category summary tables in this report 

(fig. 7). From those data, a consumptive-use coefficient 

is computed using the following equation: 

Consumptive-use coefficient (%)

 = (Water consumed ÷ Water withdrawn) × 100 (3) 

•	 The third technique uses references having withdrawal 

and return flow data for self-supplied facilities indicated by a “RW” in the “Coefficient or other” column 

in the water-use category summary tables in this report 

(fig. 7). This technique was not used for public-supply 

facilities because of the complexities of service areas, 

unaccounted-for use, and inflows and infiltration. For 

the withdrawal and return-flow data for self-supplied 

facilities, a consumptive-use coefficient was computed 

by use of the following equation: 

Consumptive-use coefficient (%) 

= [(Water withdrawn –Water returned) 

÷ Water withdrawn] × 100 (4) 

In the water-use category summary tables, each reference is 

listed as one of the following: 

•	 A primary source indicates the authors of the referenced work did most of the compilation, analysis, and 

computation of data. Often the primary source publication was completed in cooperation with multiple 

agencies, but the publication was the main product for 

the multiple agency effort. 

•	 A secondary source is a publication primarily completed by some other person or organization, but the 

data or consumptive-use coefficient was used to discuss or estimate consumptive use for the current report. 

•	 An unknown source indicates the source of the coefficient or data was not described in the reference. 

After references were annotated and the coefficients determined, 

•	 the coefficients were organized by water-use category, 

domestic and public supply were compiled together for 

analytical purposes; 

•	 coefficients were compiled in water-use category summary tables; 

•	 summary statistics of the more recent consumptive-use 

coefficients were computed (Minimum, maximum, 

25th percentile, 75th percentile, and median statistics 

were computed. The median and 25th and 75th percentiles are in this report because they are less affected 

by data outliers than other statistical measures (minimums, means, and maximums).); 

•	 boxplots were prepared for data in each water-use 

category to show the distributional characteristics of 

consumptive-use coefficients; 

•	 the number of consumptive-use coefficients used in the 

statistical computations (N), are noted in the water-use 

summary tables, the boxplots, and the summary tables 

by geographic area and water-use category; and 

•	 summary statistics are tabulated for references with 

multiple coefficients (Statistics include minimum, 

median, maximum, 25th percentile and 75th percentile. 

Some reference series had multiple years of data and 

multiple coefficients for different geographic areas, 

each of which were compiled by different people using 

different methods. Each observation was considered 

independent by geographic location and by year of 

compilation and used in the statistical computation.). 
year(s). 

Detailed 

information 

about 

reference is in 

the annotated 

bibliography. 

in the 

reference 

for publicsupply or 

domestic 

water-use 

categories. 

continents, 

and the 

world for the 

consumptive 

coefficient 

information 

listed. 

The single 

coefficient 

is listed if 

a reference 

reported 

only one 

coefficient. 

The median 

coefficient 

is listed if 

the reference 

reported 

multiple 

coefficients. 

computing the 

statistical 

values shown 

in summary 

statistics 

tables and 

boxplots. 

Great Lakes 

Basin, in 

climatically 

similar areas 

(Clim sim), 

or neither 

(Other). 

statistics 

indicates 

whether the 

coefficient(s) 

were used in 

the statistical 

analysis. 

use and 

withdrawal 

data (CW) 

or return 

flow and 

withdrawal 

data (RW). 

(Secondary), 

or from a 

source that 

was not 

noted in the 

reference 

(Unknown). 

Reference Water-use 

term Geographic area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient 

N Statistics 

area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient or 

other 

Data 

source 

Barlow, 20031 Domestic use Rhode Island, Massachusetts 15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Brill and others, 

1977 

Municipal water 

consumption 

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 

and Ohio 

20 - Clim sim No Coefficient Primary 

College of 

Exploration, 2006 

Domestic World 17 - Other No CW Unknown 

Cosgrove and 

Rijsberman, 2000 

 1900 

 1950 

 1995 

Municipal water 

use 

World 

25 

17 

14 

- 

- 

- 

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Delaware River 

Basin Commission, 

2005 

Public-watersupply 

facilities 

Delaware River Basin 

(Pennsylvania, Delaware, 

New Jersey) 

10 

1 

Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2004 Domestic New York 5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

European 

Environmental 

Agency, 2005 

Domestic Europe 20 

- 

Other No Coefficient Primary 

Great Lakes 

Commission, 

Annual Reports, 

1998-20021

Self-supply 

domestic 

Public supply 

Great Lakes Basin 

11 

10 

50 

45 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Government of 

Canada and the 

U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 

1995 

 

Municipal By Country and Great Lake 

Canada, Lake Superior 

Canada, Lake Huron 

Canada, Lake Erie 

Canada, Lake Ontario 

United States, Lake Superior 

United States, Lake Michigan 

United States, Lake Huron 

United States, Lake Erie 

United States, Lake Ontario 

25 

17 

16 

15 

14 

6 

55 

10 

18 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Horn and others, 

1994 

Domestic Rhode Island 15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Horn, 2000 Domestic Massachusetts 15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Hutson, 1998 Domestic Tennessee 10 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Hutson, and others, 

2004 

Public supply Tennessee 43 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Introduction 13 

Reference 

listed 

alphabetically 

by author and 

publication 

Water-use 

term used 

Geographic 

area defines 

the lakes, 

states, 

provinces, 

countries, 

Coefficients are in percent. 

Coefficients for references 

with multiple coefficients 

are in the appendix. 

N is the 

number of 

coefficients 

used in 

Statistics 

area lists 

whether the 

geographic 

area is in the Used in 

Coefficient 

or other 

lists if the 

coefficient 

was reported 

in the 

reference 

or if the 

coefficient 

was derived 

from 

consumptiveData source 

lists whether 

the coefficient 

was computed 

from data 

or through 

analysis 

(Primary), 

from another 

source 

Figure 7. Schematic of the summary tables of consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and 

the world. 
 

 

14 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by 

Water-Use Category 

The four water-use categories with the largest water withdrawals for the United States part of the Great Lakes in 1995 

were (in decreasing order) thermoelectric, industrial, domestic 

and public supply, and commercial (table 7, fig. 8). However, 

the largest consumptive-use categories were industrial, thermoelectric, irrigation, and domestic and public supply (fig. 8). 

These four largest consumptive-use categories accounted for 

89 percent of the total consumptive use for the U.S. part of the 

Great Lakes Basin (Solley and others, 1998) but differed in 

consumptive-use coefficients. 

In comparison, the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) 

(2005a) compiled water-use and consumptive-use data for 

both the U.S. and Canadian parts of the Great Lakes Basin in 

2002 (table 8, fig. 8). The Great Lakes Commission (2005a) 

and Solley and others (1998) did not define water-use categories identically. The Great Lakes Commission (2005a) 

included the mining and commercial categories as part of 

other water-use categories, whereas the USGS (Solley and 

others, 1998) considered them individual categories. The Great 

Lakes Commission (2005a) reported separate withdrawals 

and consumptive use for both the self-supplied domestic and 

public-supply categories whereas Solley and others (1998) 

reported only the consumptive use for self-supplied domestic 

and publicly-supplied domestic water combined. Even with 

these differences, the same four water-use categories were 

highest in consumptive use, but their rankings differed (fig. 8). 

These four categories for the GLC represented 95 percent of 

the total consumptive use (mining was included in industrial). 

Table 7. Water use and consumptive use in the U.S. part of the Great Lakes Basin in 1995. 

[Modified from Solley and others (1998). Withdrawals and deliveries and consumptive use are in million gallons per day. 

Consumptive-use coefficients are in percentage of withdrawal and are rounded] 

Water-use category Withdrawals and 

deliveries Consumptive use Consumptive-use coefficient 

Industrial 4,950 436 9 

Thermoelectric power 22,800 429 2 

Irrigation 315 295 94 

Domestic 1,760 248 14 

Commercial 752 82 11 

Livestock 70 55 79 

Mining 398 37 9 

Table 8. Water use and consumptive use in the Great Lakes Basin in the United States and Canada, 2002. 

[Modified from Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Withdrawals and consumptive use are in million gallons per day. 

Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent and are rounded. Self-supplied domestic and public-supply data are combined in 

one category] 

Water-use category1 Total withdrawals Consumptive use Consumptive-use 

coefficient 

Public supply and domestic 6,450 660 10 

Thermoelectric power 30,820 390 1 

Irrigation 510 380 94 

Industrial 4,380 370 8 

Livestock 140 90 64 

1

 The Great Lakes Commission document does not include mining or commercial as independent water-use categories. Mining 

is included in industrial. Commercial facilities, depending on the facility, could be under multiple water-use categories, the most 

likely of which is public supply or self-supplied domestic. Also, the domestic, thermoelectric power, irrigation, industrial, and 

livestock categories are only from self-supplied facilities, and the public-supply category includes all the withdrawals regardless 

of how the water is being used (domestic, commercial, industrial, etc.). 
 

 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 15 

Great Lakes Basin in United States 

A. Water Use B. Consumptive Use 5.7% 

(1,760 Mgal/d) 

73.4% 

(22,800 Mgal/d) 

15.9% 

(4,950 Mgal/d) 

1.0% 

(315 Mgal/d) 

0.2% 

(70 Mgal/d) 

2.4% 

(752 Mgal/d) 

1.3% 2.3% 

(398 Mgal/d) (37 Mgal/d) 

5.2% 

(82 Mgal/d) 

3.5% 

(55 Mgal/d) 

27.1% 

(429 Mgal/d) 

15.7% 

(248 Mgal/d) 

27.6% 

(436 Mgal/d) 

18.6% 

(295 Mgal/d) 

Great Lakes Basin in United States and Canada 

C. Water Use D. Consumptive Use 

72.9% 

(30,820 Mgal/d) 

15.2% 

(6,450 Mgal/d) 

10.4% 

(4,380 Mgal/d) 

19.6% 

(370 Mgal/d) 

20.1% 

(380 Mgal/d) 

37.9% 

(660 Mgal/d) 

20.6% 

(390 Mgal/d) 

4.8% 

(90 Mgal/d) 1.2% 

(510 Mgal/d) 

0.3% 

(140 Mgal/d) 

EXPLANATION 

Thermoelectric Industrial Livestock Mining

Public Supply & Domestic Irrigation Commercial

Figure 8. A, Water use, and B consumptive use in the United States part of the Great Lakes Basin in 1995 (adapted from Solley and 

others, 1998). C, Water use, and D consumptive use in the United States and Canadian parts of the Great Lakes Basin in 2002 (adapted 

from the Great Lakes Commission, 2005). Category percentages may not add to 100 percent because of independent rounding; Mgal/d, 

million gallons per day. 
16 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

As evident from tables 7 and 8, consumptive-use coeffi- in the Great Lakes Basin. Data also may be included 

cients ranged from 1 to 94 percent, depending on the water- for areas in the eight states and two provinces but outuse category. Although the consumptive-use coefficients side the Great Lakes Basin (fig. 1). 

varied widely between water-use categories, the coefficients 

•	 Climatically similar areas are basins and states that were similar within water-use categories for Solley and oth­ have climates similar to the Great Lakes Basin (figs. 2 ers (1998) and the GLC (2005) (irrigation, both 94 percent; and 4). industrial, 9 and 8 percent; thermoelectric power, 2 and 1 percent; domestic, 14 and 10 percent (tables 7 and 8)). Because •	 Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas consumptive-use coefficients were similar within water-use combined include the data for Great Lakes Basin 

categories, the references were compiled and summarized by references and the climatically similar area references water-use category. The water-use category coefficients in together (figs. 1, 2, and 4). more recent references are statistically summarized by four 

groups in table 9: •	 World represents single coefficients that have worldwide applicability for particular water-use categories. •	 The Great Lakes Basin includes the eight U.S. states 


and two Canadian provinces that are either all or partly 


Table 9. Consumptive-use coefficient statistics for water-use categories for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. 

[Great Lakes Basin refers to basins, parts of states, and states in the Great Lakes Basin. Climatically similar areas are basins and states that are climatically similar in the 

Great Lakes Basin but not in the Great Lakes Basin. Great Lakes and climatically similar references are the combination of references from these two areas. References 

are only from publications after either 1975 (mining and commercial), 1980 (industrial, irrigation, thermoelectric, livestock), or 1985 (domestic and public supply) and do 

not include all the Canada coefficients, all the United States coefficients, or continent coefficients because these include areas that are not climatically similar to the Great 

Lakes. Minimum (min), median, maximum (max), the 25th percentile, and the 75th percentile are in percent. N is the number of references used in the statistical analysis] 

Statistics 

Water-use category Min 25th Median 75th Max N 

Great Lakes Basin 

Domestic and Public Supply 0 10 12 15 74 161 

Industrial 0 7 10 14 35 122 

Thermoelectric Power 0 1 2 2 21 141 

Irrigation 70 90 90 96 100 95 

Livestock 01 80 83 90 100 85 

Commercial 4 8 10 15 26 29 

Mining 0 7 10 25 58 58 

Climatically similar areas 

Domestic and Public Supply 6 10 15 20 70 68 

Industrial 0 4 10 13 34 97 

Thermoelectric Power 0 0 2 4 75 75 

Irrigation 37 90 100 100 100 75 

Livestock2 102 86 100 100 100 73 

Commercial 3 8 10 13 33 61 

Mining 0 10 14 20 86 83 

Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas 

Domestic and public supply 0 10 13 15 74 229 

Industrial 0 6 10 13 35 219 

Thermoelectric power 0 1 2 3 75 216 

Irrigation 37 90 91 100 100 170 

Livestock1,2 01,2 80 90 100 100 158 

Commercial 3 8 10 13 33 90 

Mining 0 8 13 22 86 141 

World 

Domestic and public supply 14 16 16 18 19 4 

Industrial 9 10 10 11 11 4 

Agriculture 65 65 68 72 78 4 

1

 The livestock low coefficient minimum (0 percent) is from Great Lakes Commission (2005a) in which Minnesota reported 0.25 Mgal/d total withdrawn in 1998 and 0.0 Mgal/d 

consumptive use. The next lowest coefficient for the Great Lakes Basin was 66 percent. 

2

 The livestock low minimum coefficients are from Solley and others (1988) and may be the result of their adding animal specialties, including fish farming, into the livestock wateruse category. In previous and subsequent USGS reports, fish farming was in different water-use categories. 
 

 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 17 

Domestic and Public Supply 

The USGS defines public-supply water use as water 

withdrawn by private and public water suppliers and delivered 

to customers who, in turn, use the water for purposes such 

as domestic, commercial, thermoelectric power, industrial, 

and public water use (Solley and others, 1998). Self-supplied 

domestic water use is water used for drinking, bathing, food 

preparation, washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilets, and 

watering lawns and gardens that is not obtained from a publicsupply facility (Solley and others, 1998). Domestic consumptive use occurs primarily during outdoor watering of lawns and 

gardens, sidewalk and car washing, filling and maintaining 

pools, and to a lesser extent, during indoor cooking, cleaning, 

showering, and clothes washing (Marilee Horn, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun. February, 2007). 

Domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients 

are grouped because references in the annotated bibliography 

used a variety of terms for the domestic and public-supply 

categories (municipal, domestic, self-supplied domestic and 

public supply, among others). For example, some references 

reported one consumptive-use coefficient for domestic use, 

whereas others reported two (self-supplied and publicly supplied domestic). It was not always clear whether the single 

coefficient was for self-supplied domestic use, publicly 

supplied domestic use, all public-supply use (including other 

categories such as industrial and commercial), or a combination of all three. 
18 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Self-supplied domestic ground-water use can include consumptive uses like swimming pools. 

The ambiguity of the terms “public supply” and “municipal water use” also made it difficult to separate categories. 

These terms are sometimes defined as just the domestic 

portion of the public-supplied water use, and sometimes as 

all categories that public suppliers might serve: domestic, 

commercial, thermoelectric power, industrial, agriculture, and 

public water use. 

A few publications in a series grouped or split the 

water-use or consumptive-use categories differently between 

editions, making compilation for this report difficult. Specifically, in 1985, the USGS changed the aggregation of the 

Table 10. Summary-table terms and descriptions. 

public-supply and domestic water-use categories: “consumptive use” was changed to include consumptive use from both 

the self-supplied domestic withdrawals and the publicly supplied domestic deliveries (Solley and others, 1998). Therefore, 

because of these changes, only USGS references from 1985 to 

the present are used in the statistical summary (table 9) for the 

domestic and public-supply category. 

Figure 7 and table 10 were created to help readers 

navigate through the water-use category summary tables like 

table 11, which lists the domestic water-use terminology used 

in each reference. 

Reference Description 

Coefficient Term used to identify consumptive-use coefficients that were found in references as coefficients or ratios. 

CW References that list withdrawal data and consumption data and for which a consumptive-use coefficient was computed from the equation (coefficient = (consumptive use/ water withdrawal) x 100). 

RW References that list withdrawal and return flow data for self-supplied facilities (or a group of self-supplied facilities) and for which a consumptive-use coefficient was computed from the following equation (coefficient =((water withdrawn – water returned)/ water withdrawn) x 100). 

Primary source A primary source indicates the authors of the referenced work did most of the compilation, analysis, and computation of data. Often the primary-source publication was completed in cooperation with multiple agencies, but the 

publication was the main product for the multiple-agency effort. 

Secondary source A secondary source is a publication that was primarily completed by some other person or organization, but the 

data or consumptive-use coefficient was used to discuss or estimate consumptive use for the current report. 

Unknown source An unknown source indicates that the source of the coefficient or data was not described in the reference. 

Clim Sim Refers to Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, 

New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or other study areas climatically similar 

to the Great Lakes Basin. 

Great Lakes Refers to states, jurisdictions, or study areas that are fully or partly in the Great Lakes Basin. 

Other Refers to references that do not discuss the Great Lakes Basin or climatically similar areas: often used for world or 

large-country coefficients. 
 

 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 19 

Table 11. Summary of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, 

and the world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Water-use 

term 

Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics 

area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or other 

Data 

source 

Barlow, 20031 Domestic use Rhode Island, 

Massachusetts 

15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Brill and others, 1977 Municipal water 

consumption 

Illinois, Indiana, 

Kentucky, and Ohio 

20 - Clim sim No Coefficient Primary 

College of Exploration, 

[n.d.] 

Domestic World 17 - Other No CW Unknown 

Cosgrove and 

Rijsberman, 2000 

1900 

1950 

1995 

Municipal 

water use 

World 

25 

17 

14 

-

-

-

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Delaware River Basin 

Commission, [n.d] 

Public watersupply 

facilities 

Delaware River Basin 

(Pennsylvania, Delaware, 

New Jersey) 

10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2005 Domestic New York 5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

European Environment 

Agency, 2005 

Domestic Europe 20 - Other No Coefficient Primary 

Great Lakes 

Commission, 2005a 

Self-supply 

domestic 

Public supply 

Great Lakes Basin 

11 

10 

50 

45 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Government of 

Canada and the 

U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 

1995 

Municipal Great Lakes: 

Canada, Lake Superior 

Canada, Lake Huron 

Canada, Lake Erie 

Canada, Lake Ontario 

United States, L. Superior 

United States, L. Michigan 

United States, L. Huron 

United States, L. Erie 

United States, L. Ontario 

25 

17 

16 

15 

14 

6 

55 

10 

18 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Horn and others, 1994 Domestic Rhode Island 15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Horn, 2000 Domestic Massachusetts 15 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Hutson, 1998 Domestic Tennessee 10 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Hutson and others, 

2004b 

Public supply Tennessee 43 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

International Great 

Lakes Diversions 

and Consumptive 

Use Study Board, 

1981a, b2 

Municipal water 

consumption 

Rural residential 

20 

60 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Primary 

Primary 

Kay, 20023 Rural domestic By state: 

Kentucky 

Indiana 

Michigan 

Iowa 

Missouri 

Illinois 

Wisconsin 

10-15 

10-15 

10-15 

40 

25 

10 

20 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Clim sim 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

LaTour, 19914 Domestic Illinois 6 - Great Lakes No Coefficient Primary 

Loper and others, 1989 Public supply 

Self-supplied 

domestic use 

Pennsylvania 10 

10 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Public supply 

Domestic 

Pennsylvania 37 

10 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

Primary 

Primary 

Marcuello and 

Lallana, 20035 

Urban use Europe 20 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 
 

 

20 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 11. Summary of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, 

and the world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Water-use 

term 

Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics 

area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or other 

Data 

source 

Medalie, 1996 Domestic use New England 14 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Mullaney, 2004 Public supply Connecticut, New York 20 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Nawyn, 19976

 By category:

 Public-supply 

deliveries

By category New Jersey 

Domestic

 Commercial

 Industrial

 Public water use

 Self-supply 

 withdrawals

18 

4 

8 

20 

1 

-

-

-

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Domestic 

20 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Nimiroski and Wild, 

2005 

Domestic, 

publicly 

supplied 

Domestic, 

self-supplied 

Rhode Island 

15 

15 

1 

1 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Ohlsson, 1997 Domestic World 17 - other No Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 

1988 

Domestic United States 19.5 - other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pebbles, 2003b 

Self-supply domestic 

Public supply 

Self-supply 

domestic 

Public supply 

By state and province: 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

New York 

Ohio 

Ontario 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec 

Wisconsin 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

New York 

Ohio 

Ontario 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec 

Wisconsin 

10-157 

15 

10-157 

10-157 

10 

10-157 

15 

10 

10-157 

10-157 

10-157 

15 

10-157 

10-157 

10 

10-157 

15 

10 

10-157 

10-157 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Environmental 

Municipal Pennsylvania 10 - Great Lakes No Coefficient Primary 

Resources, 1975-83 

Postel, 1996 Municipalities World 17 - Other No CW Secondary 

Postel and others, 1996 Municipalities World 17 - Other No CW Primary 

Shiklomanov and 

Rodda, 2003 

Domestic Europe 

World, 1995 

World, 1900 - 1995 

12 

19 

22 

-

-

-

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Primary 

Primary 

Secondary 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Domestic Kentucky 

Kentucky River Basin 

26 

38 

1 

-

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

No 

CW 

CW 

Primary 

Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Domestic Kentucky 18 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Snavely, 1987 Domestic use Great Lakes 26 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 
 

 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 21 

Table 11. Summary of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, 

and the world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Water-use 

term 

Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics 

area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or other 

Data 

source 

Snavely, 19888: 

Domestic Domestic 

Great Lakes 

Public supply Public supply 

1975 Study Board 

1975 USGS 

1980 Study Board 

1980 USGS 

1985 Study Board 

1985 USGS 

1975 Study Board 

1975 USGS 

1980 Study Board 

1980 USGS 

1985 Study Board 

1985 USGS 

60 

21 

64 

27 

62 

74 

11 

13 

11 

8 

11 

-­

-

-

-

-

1 

1 

-

-

-

-

1 

-

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Sweat and Van Til, 

1988 

Public supply Michigan 10 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Tate and Harris, 1999a Municipal Canadian part of Great 

Lakes Basin 

20 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1994 

Public and rural 

supplies 

United States 17 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1997 

Public and rural 

supplies 

United States 17 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 2003 

Public and rural 

supplies 

United States 17 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

USGS Circulars, 1988, 

1993, 19989

: 

Domestic water 

use (includes 

publicly and 

self-supplied) 

By state:

 Great Lakes States

 Climatically similar states 

By basin or region:

 Great Lake 

Mid-Atlantic 

 New England 

Ohio 

 Tennessee 

Upper Mississippi 

14 

15 

14 

11 

16 

14 

15 

21 

24 

48 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Great Lakes 

Clim sim 

Great Lakes 

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

USGS and 

Tennessee 

Department of 

Environment and 

Domestic and 

public losses 

Tennessee 24 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Conservation, 2003 

Veeger and others, 2003 Domestic Rhode Island 15 1 Clim Sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Water Resources Council (U.S), 197810 

Domestic By region or basin: 

New England 

Mid-Atlantic 

Great Lakes 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Upper Mississippi 

15 

18 

15 

19 

22 

19 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Great Lakes 

Clim Sim 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Domestic, central New England 

Mid-Atlantic 

Great Lakes 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Upper Mississippi 

9 

14 

10 

11 

12 

14 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Great Lakes 

Clim Sim 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Domestic, 

non-central 

New England 

Mid-Atlantic 

Great Lakes 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Upper Mississippi 

61 

61 

61 

62 

62 

61 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Clim Sim 

Clim Sim 

Great Lakes 

Clim Sim 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 
 

 

 

22 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 11. Summary of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, 

and the world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Water-use 

term 

Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics 

area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or other 

Data 

source 

Wild and Nimiroski, 

2004 

Domestic, 

publicly 

supplied 

Domestic, 

self-supplied 

Rhode Island, Connecticut 

9 

21

 1 

1 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

Yes

 Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 

2005 

Domestic, 

publicly 

supplied 

Domestic,

 self-supplied 

Rhode Island 

6 

46

 1 

1 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Woldorf, 1959 Rural home Ohio 3 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

1

 The consumptive-use coefficient is noted as “New England traditional rates.” 

2

 Two consumptive-use coefficients were listed; however, 20 percent was used in this report for statistical analysis. The other coefficient was the sum of 15 percent plus water uses 

and estimated losses. 

3

 Numbers were estimated from a graph and were not used in the statistical analysis. The numbers were not tabulated in the report. In Solley and others (1998), it appears that these 

numbers are the total domestic freshwater consumptive use and withdrawals (includes self-supplied withdrawals and public-supply deliveries). 

4

 LaTour found domestic consumptive-use coefficients ranging among specific areas but overall stated that domestic consumptive uses amounted to 6 percent ± 2 percent. This range 

was not used in the statistical analysis. 

5

 Marcuello and Lallana (2003) said that the consumptive-use coefficients were “widely accepted.” 

6

 Nawyn (1997) stated that “coefficients of consumptive water use that were developed in other studies were modified and applied to data on water users in Camden County.” 

7

 For the summary statistics, the average of the consumptive-use coefficient range was used. 

8

 The USGS 1975 and 1980 domestic consumptive-use coefficients were based on self-supplied water use only, whereas the 1985 consumptive-use coefficient represented both selfsupplied and publicly supplied water use. 

9

 The median numbers and numbers used to calculate statistics in the statistical summary are from appendix 1. 

10 Domestic central is from the U.S. Department of Interior (U.S. Geological Survey) and Water Resources Council. Domestic non-central is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (formerly, Soil Conservation Service; currently National Resources Conservation Service). 

With the exception of Hutson and others (2004b), the ing the wastewater system and making the return flow 

domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients in appear higher than it really is. Quantifying the proportable 11 are either coefficients or computed values from con- tion of inflow and infiltration can be difficult.) 

sumptive use and withdrawal data (CW). Direct measurement •	 Unaccounted-for use (public uses and conveyance of consumptive use (withdrawals – return flow (RW)) may not losses) may be unknown. work at the public supply/wastewater-discharge level for the 

If the customer base of the public supplier and wastewa­ following reasons: 

ter treatment plant are the same, any imports and exports are •	 The customer base may not be the same. (For instance, quantifiable; therefore withdrawals, return flow, infiltration, a large municipal public supplier serves 100,000 inflow, and unaccounted for water are known, and consump­ people, but the municipal wastewater facility serves tive use can be computed from the following equation: 125,000; the difference of 25,000 people results from 


a combination of small public supply facilities and 
 Consumptive use private wells.) = (Withdrawals + Imports + Infiltration + Inflow) 

•	 Withdrawals and discharges by individual facilities – (Unaccounted-for water + Exports + Return flow) (5) 

may be unequal. (A city has multiple large industrial During the research for this study, several references facilities that use self-supplied water, but the facilities were found that discussed unaccounted-for water (conveyance discharge large amounts of water into the municipal losses and public uses) in public-supply systems. Unaccount­ wastewater system. ) ed-for water is important locally and at the facility level. In 

•	 Infiltration or inflows into the sewer pipes may be mis- order to use the complex equation above, unaccounted-for 

interpreted as return flow, thus making the consump- water needs to be considered. As water becomes scarce and 

tive use of the customers seem less than it is. (Water the cost of water increases, minimizing losses becomes more 

from surface runoff or through storm drains (termed important to municipalities. Information about unaccounted­

“inflow”) and ground water (infiltration) can be enter- for water is given in tables 12 and 13. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 23 

Table 12. References that include discussions on unaccounted-for water (conveyance losses and public uses). 

Reference Discussion 

Barlow, 2003 Barlow (2003) found that losses ranged from 0.007 to 0.944 Mgal/d in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; 

62 percent of the water lost was from leakage, 12 percent in fighting fires, 6.4 percent because of major 

waterline breaks, and the remainder for a variety of other reasons. 

Environment Canada, Environment Canada (2004) found that about 20 percent of total daily municipal water use in Canada is lost 

2004 in the distribution system or is unaccounted for. 

European Environment The European Environment Agency (2005) stated that reducing leakage rates in water-distribution systems 

Agency, 2005 has the greatest potential for saving water. Water losses (through leakage) accounted for more than a third 

of the withdrawals in some older cities in Europe. Although some of this water recharges ground water 

and can be pumped and used again, in other locations the water cannot be used again because the water 

beneath the city is too contaminated. 

Hutson, 1998 Hutson (1998) found that, for public utilities in Tennessee, about 10 percent of the withdrawals was either 

used for public uses (parks, fire fighting, and municipal swimming pools) or lost in conveyance. 

LaTour, 1991 LaTour (1991) noted that the national median for conveyance loss was 11 percent and that for most northern 

Illinois cities, public-supply conveyance loss ranged from 0.5 to 40.0 percent of public-supply withdrawals. LaTour (1991) also noted that the public-supply conveyance losses are affected by the age and the 

size of the public-supply conveyance systems and public-supply maintenance programs. Conveyance 

losses were 12 percent (Rockford, Ill. area) and 17 percent (Kankakee, Ill. area). 

Nawyn, 1997 Using water-use reports from public-supply facilities in New Jersey Nawyn (1997) found that unaccountedfor water was 12 percent; however, because a loss reported by one public-supply facility was unusually 

high and skewed the average, 10 percent was used to estimate losses for facilities that did not submit a 

report in New Jersey. 

Sholar, 1988 For Kentucky, Sholar (1988) noted that 10 percent of the public-supply deliveries was either lost in the 

distribution systems or was used for public uses such as firefighting. 

Sholar and Wood, For the Kentucky River Basin, Sholar and Wood (1991) found that 21 percent of water was either lost in the 

1991 distribution system or used in public uses such as firefighting. 

Table 13. Selected state standards for unaccounted-for water (water losses). 

[Modified from Beecher (2002). Standard is in percent.] 

State1 Agency Standard 

Indiana Department of Environmental Management 10 to 20 

Kentucky Department of Energy, Water and Sewer Branch 15 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 15 

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 10 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources 10 

Ohio Public Utility Commission and Environmental 15 

Protection Agency 

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission 10-15 

Pennsylvania Bureau of Water and Wastewater Management 10-15 

Rhode Island Water Resources Board 10-15 

West Virginia Public Service Commission 15 

Wisconsin Public Service Commission 15 (large) 

25 (small) 

Delaware River Basin Delaware River Basin Commission 15 

Commission 

1

 Original table included many states; only Great Lakes Basins states or climatically similar states are listed above. 

Delaware River Basin Commission is based on facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. 
 

 

 

 

24 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

LaTour (1991) noted that public-supply conveyance systems are under pressure and water is typically lost, not gained; 

but when conveyance systems are not adequately pressurized 

(for example when water-main breaks are being repaired), 

they may gain water. LaTour (1991) also estimated sewerconveyance gains (inflow and infiltration) by determining the 

difference between sewage-treatment returns and releases, but 

he stated that unrecognized releases or significant meter errors 

could result in erroneous estimates. The sewer-conveyance 

gains for the Rockford and Kankakee, Ill., areas were 35 percent of the public-supply withdrawals. 

Although many references were considered primary 

sources, only a few gave details about computing consumptive-use coefficients for domestic and public-supply categories. LaTour (1991) used three methods to derive consumptiveuse ratios for domestic water use: 

•	 types of use, 

•	 maximum lawn-watering, and 

•	 winter base-rate methods. 

Of these three methods, LaTour concluded that the winter 

base-rate method was a reasonable means of estimating 

domestic consumptive use. The winter base-rate method 

focuses on outdoor water use (specifically, lawn watering), 

which LaTour assumed to make up most of domestic consumptive use. Outdoor water use is predominantly consumptive use because of evapotranspiration (LaTour, 1991). Other 

EXPLANATION

25th Percentile 75th Percentile Median 

Largest value Outside value 

less than 

Smallest value 

less than (> 1.5 IQR) 

1.5 1.5 time IQR times IQR 

outdoor domestic water uses include landscape and garden 

irrigation, car washing, and swimming pool filling. 

The winter-base rate method involves the following steps: 

•	 Determine the winter base rate by averaging the 

domestic use during November through April. (During 

this time, outside water use is minimal in Illinois.) 

•	 Calculate outside domestic water by subtracting 

the winter base rate from the domestic use for May 

through October, 

•	 Multiply the outside domestic water use by 80 percent 

to determine consumptive use. (LaTour assumed that 

80 percent of the water applied to lawns was domestic consumptive use due to evapotranspiration and 

whereas the remaining 20 percent was direct return to 

ground water.) 

Mullaney (2004) using a method similar to the winterbase rate method, estimated consumptive use (outdoor water 

use) by subtracting the winter water-use data from the average 

daily water use. 

Mullaney (2004) and LaTour (1991) are two of many 

references listed in table 11 and further described in the annotated bibliography. The coefficients noted as used in the statistics (table 11) were statistically analyzed as shown in table 9 

and figure 9. The statistics (median, 25th and 75th percentiles) 

for the domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients were similar for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 

similar areas. 

IQR, The interquartile range; 

distance between the 75th 

and 25th percentiles 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

Great Lakes Basin 

(N = 161) 

Climatically similar areas 

(N = 68) 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas 

combined (N = 229) 

Median = 12 

Median = 15 

Median = 13 

0 20 40 60 80 

Figure 9. Distribution of domestic and 

public-supply consumptive-use coefficients 

for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 

similar areas. 

DOMESTIC AND PUBLIC-SUPPLY CONSUMPTIVE-USE 

COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 25 

Table 14 lists summary statistics for references or groups 

of references that reported multiple domestic and publicsupply coefficients from 1985 to 1995. An attempt was made 

in table 15 to subdivide the domestic and public-supply 

consumptive-use coefficients: 

•	 Only coefficients that were used in the statistics in 

table 9 (noted in table 11 with “Yes” under the column heading “Used in statistics” or “N” equal to 1 (or 

more)) were used. 

•	 Coefficients that used the water-use terms “rural residential,” and “rural domestic” were not used. 

•	 Any coefficients that were called “domestic-publicly 

supplied” were considered domestic coefficients. 

•	 Coefficients with the water-use term “municipal” were 

considered “public supply.” 

For the domestic and public-supply consumptive-usecoefficient statistics listed in table 15, the 25th and 75th percentile were the same (10 and 15 percent), and the medians were 

similar (15 and 12). 

Domestic consumptive-use coefficients for the Great 

Lakes States from two data sources are compared in figure 10. 

Coefficients for 1995 from Solley and others (1998) were 

calculated from the amount of water withdrawn and consumed 

for domestic use (CW) and are listed in Appendix table 1-1. 

Coefficients from Pebbles (2003b) were reported by state 

agencies for domestic and public-supply water use (often, 

a range was given). The coefficients from Pebbles (2003b) 

can be found in many other GLC documents and are listed in 

appendix table 3–1. 

Solley and others (1998) reported data for the entire 

state, whereas the states included by Pebbles (2003b) reported 

coefficients for only the part of the state in the Great Lakes 

drainage basin. The range of coefficients from Solley and others (1998) was larger than that from Pebbles (2003b) but the 

medians were similar. 

Table 14. Summary statistics of domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients from Great Lakes Commission annual 

reports, 1998–2002 and USGS Circulars, 1988–98. 

[Reference refers to the annotated-bibliography reference. The geographic area is defined by states or water-resources regions (or river basins). N is the number 

of coefficients used in the summary-statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References with more than one coefficient are listed in the 

appendix. The minimum (min), 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum (max) numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.] 

Domestic Coefficient statistics 

Reference water-use 

term 

Geographic area N 

Min 25th Median 75th Max 

Great Lakes Commission, Public supply Great Lakes States and 50 0 10 11 15 21 

2005a Provinces 

Domestic 45 0 10 10 15 15 

USGS Circulars, 1988, Domestic water By state: 

1993, and 1998 use (includes Great Lakes States 24 5 10 14 15 34 

publicly Climatically similar states 48 10 10 15 20 70 

Data from 1985, 1990, supplied and 

and 1995 self-supplied) By river basin or region: 

Great Lake - 12 13 14 14 14 

Mid-Atlantic - 9 10 11 12 13 

New England - 14 15 16 21 26 

Ohio - 13 14 14 14 15 

Tennessee - 14 14 15 15 15 

Upper Mississippi - 19 20 21 21 21 

Table 15. Consumptive-use-coefficient statistics for domestic and public-supply water-use categories for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas. 

[Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar references are the combination of references from these two areas. References are only from publications after 1985 (domestic and public supply) and do not include all Canada coefficients, all U.S. coefficients, or continent coefficients because 

they include areas that are not climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. Minimum (min), median, maximum (max), 25th percentile, and 

75th percentile are in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number. N is the number of references used in the statistical analysis.] 

Statistics 

Water-use category 

Min 25th Median 75th Max N 

Domestic 0 10 15 15 74 149 

Public supply 0 10 12 15 55 78 
26 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Figure 10. Domestic consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for the Great Lakes 

States. 
 27 

Consumptive-use coefficients for the world, countries, 

and continents also are included in this report to serve as a 

basis for comparison by 

•	 showing how comparable regional coefficients are to 

world and other regional coefficients, 

•	 broadening the understanding of the coefficients (if 

definitions and use are similar), and 

•	 showing whether climatic or economic factors may 

contribute to coefficients. 

Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003) compiled domestic and 

public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for eight years of 

data between 1900 and 1995 (1900, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 

1980, 1990, 1995); these coefficients are listed in table 16 

and grouped by continent. Units in table 16 and subsequent 

tables based on Shiklomanov and Rodda’s work are in cubic 

kilometers per year, as reported in the original document. The 

derived consumptive-use coefficient is unitless and is comparable to coefficients derived from inch-pound units. From 

1900 to 1995, the domestic and public supply consumptive-use 

coefficients ranged from 11 to 77 percent; in the 1995 assessment, the range was 12 to 68 percent. The maximum values 

(68 and 77) are listed for rural use for North America and 

may be describing a different type of water use than on the 

other continents. Rural use is self-supplied domestic use that 

may or may not include livestock water use. Most livestock 

withdrawals are considered consumed and not returned to 

the immediate environment. If the North America rural-use 

category is excluded and the public-supply category is used 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 

for North America, the range of consumptive-use coefficients 

is 11 to 67 percent for 1900 to 1995 and 12 to 19 for 1995 

(Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003). All the consumptive-use 

coefficients decreased from 1900 to 1980. Coefficients for 

1990 and 1995 are very similar within a continent. The largest consumptive-use coefficients listed in table 16 are for the 

earliest assessments (1900), when less water was withdrawn. 

The water withdrawals for domestic and public supply have 

steadily increased over the last 95 years, but the consumptiveuse coefficients have decreased. This decrease may be attributed to 

•	 more water being returned to wastewater-treatment 

plants and then released, and 

•	 more water being used (indoor plumbing, water technology is more widespread, or population increases), 

but consumptive use staying constant, decreasing, or 

increasing at a smaller rate than water use. 

Additional consumptive-use coefficients for the world, 

continents, and major countries are listed in table 17. The 

domestic and public-supply water use and consumptive use 

for the world, continents, and major countries were examined 

to confirm that the definitions, “water use” and “consumptive 

use” were similar to those used for the Great Lakes Basin and 

that consumptive-use coefficients were therefore similar. 

Table 18 lists water withdrawals, consumptive use, and 

consumptive-use coefficients by European regions for 1980, 

1990 and 1995 (Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003). 
28 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 16. Public-supply or domestic water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use coefficients listed by continent, for 

selected years from 1900 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in cubic kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; coefficient 

is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use figures and rounded to the nearest whole 

number.] 

Statistic 1900 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1995 1900–1995 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

8.5 

1.8 

21 

2 

1 

50 

.3 

.2 

67 

4.8 

1.0 

21 

3.5 

2.7 

77 

.25 

.14 

56 

.14 

.03 

21 

19.49 

6.87 

35 

12.7 

2.3 

18 

6 

3 

50 

.7 

.3 

43 

-

-

-

-

-

.8 

.4 

50 

.33 

.08 

24 

20.53 

6.08 

30 

Europe (Public supply) 1 

15.6 

2.7 

17 

21.0 

3.0 

14 

33.7 

4.2 

12 

58.5 

7.2 

12 

Asia (Domestic) 2 

11 

5 

45 

20 

9 

45 

38 

14 

37 

65 

18 

28 

Africa (Domestic) 3 

1.3 

.5 

38 

3.1 

.9 

29 

5.8 

1.2 

21 

11.4 

1.8 

16 

North America (Public supply) 4 

22.0 

4.8 

22 

33.0 

5.8 

18 

44.0 

9.8 

22 

56.3 

12.0 

21 

North America (Rural use) 4 

6.1 

4.7 

77 

7.3 

5.4 

74 

9.6 

7.0 

73 

12.4 

8.6 

69 

South America (Domestic) 5 

1.9 

.7 

37 

4.4 

1.2 

27 

6.9 

1.5 

22 

12.4 

2.5 

20 

Australia and Oceania (Public supply) 6 

.75 

.16 

21 

1.10 

.21 

19 

1.50 

.25 

17 

2.80 

.30 

11 

Total 

58.65 

18.56 

32 

89.9 

25.51 

28 

139.5 

37.95 

27 

218.8 

50.4 

23 

Total without North America (Rural use) 

67.1 

8.4 

13 

143 

29 

20 

12.8 

1.7 

13 

67.1 

9.1 

14 

16.8 

11.5 

68 

28.1 

4.9 

17 

3.10 

.36 

12 

338 

64.96 

19 

69.9 

8.6 

12 

160 

31 

19 

17.2 

2.1 

12 

72.5 

10.9 

15 

17.7 

12.0 

68 

32.6 

5.3 

16 

3.30 

.38 

12 

373.2 

70.28 

19 

287 

38.2 

13 

445 

110 

25 

52.6 

8.7 

17 

299.7 

53.4 

18 

73.4 

51.9 

71 

87.35 

16.64 

19 

13.02 

1.77 

14 

1,258.07 

280.61 

22 

Total withdrawn 15.99 20.53 52.55 82.6 129.9 206.4 321.2 355.5 1,184.67 

Consumptive use 4.17 6.08 13.86 20.11 30.95 41.8 53.46 58.28 228.71 

Coefficient 26 30 26 24 24 20 17 16 19 

1

 Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003; p. 85, from table 4.19). 

2

 Ibid., p. 135, from table 5.25. 

3

 Ibid., p. 192, from table 6.18. 

4

 Ibid., p. 258, from table 7.22. 

5

 Ibid., p. 316, from table 8.19. 

6

 Ibid., p. 346, from table 9.21. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 29 

Table 17. Domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficients for major countries, continents, and 

the world. 

[Coefficient is in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number] 

Reference	 Geographic area Coefficient 

College of Exploration [n.d] World 17 

Cosgrove and Rijsberman, 2000 World 14 

European Environment Agency, Europe 20 

2005 

Marcuello and Lallana, 2003 Europe 20 

Postel and others, 1996 World 17 

Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003 World	 16 

(1995 assessment only)1 By continent: 

Europe 12 

Asia 19 

Africa 12 

N. America (public supply) 15 

N. America (public supply and	 25 

domestic) 

S. America 16 

Australia and Oceania 12 

Solley and others, 19982	 United States 26 

1

 The world coefficient excludes North American rural domestic. If this included, the world consumptive-use coefficient is 

19 percent, and the North America consumptive-use coefficient is 25 percent instead (22.9 divided by 90.2). 

2

 Includes both self-supplied domestic and publicly supplied domestic. 

Table 18. Public-supply water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 

coefficients listed by European regions for selected years from 1980 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003), page 88. Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in cubic 

kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was 

consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use figures and rounded to the nearest whole 

number.] 

Statistic 1980 1990 1995 1980–1995 

Northern Europe 

Total withdrawn 2.72 2.98 3.01 8.71 

Consumptive use .22 .24 .22 .68 

Coefficient 8 8 7 8 

Central Europe 

Total withdrawn 21.9 25.1 26.5 73.5 

Consumptive use 1.7 2.0 2.1 5.8 

Coefficient 8 8 8 8 

Southern Europe 

Total withdrawn 38.3 40.5 45.1 123.9 

Consumptive use 3.1 2.8 2.9 8.8 

Coefficient 8 7 6 7 

Northern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn 2.10 2.60 2.55 7.25 

Consumptive use .60 .60 .60 1.8 

Coefficient 29 23 24 25 

Southern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn 11.8 14.7 14.7 41.2 

Consumptive use 2.8 3.8 3.8 10.4 

Coefficient 24 26 26 25 

Total 

Total withdrawn 76.82 85.88 91.86 254.46 

Consumptive use 8.42 9.44 9.62 27.48 

Coefficient 11 11 10 11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Industrial 

Industrial water use is water used for industrial fabrication, washing, processing, and cooling and includes industries 

such as chemical and allied products, paper and allied products, 

steel, and petroleum refining (Hutson and others, 2004a). Industrial consumptive use may occur through product incorporation, evaporation from cooling and heating processes, cleaning, 

and lawn watering. 

Growing public awareness and concern for water pollution 

led to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 

1972, amended in 1977 and otherwise known as Clean Water 

Act of 1977. This act established regulation of discharges of 

pollutants into the waters of the United States and brought 

changes to industrial facilities and their use of water (including consumptive use). As is evident from figure 11, the median 

industrial consumptive-use coefficients from USGS circular 

reports for the Great Lakes States and climatically similar 

states show how the industrial coefficients increased between 

1970 and the 1990s. Because of the changes in data-collection 

methods (under the new USGS National Water-Use Information 

Program (NWUIP) authorized by Congress in 1977) and the 

possible changes caused by the Clean Water Act in how water 

was used in industrial facilities, only consumptive-use coefficients from the 1980s to the present were used to calculate the 

statistics used in this report. 

The type of industrial facilities (defined by the Standard 

Industrial Classification (SIC) code or the North American 

Industrial Classification (NAICS) code), the geographic area, 

and the type of processes and equipment in an industrial facility 

all affect the amount of water consumed. Information on the 

consumptive use by major SIC codes are presented in the section “Industrial by major groups.” This information shows the 

variance of the consumptive-use coefficient by major SIC codes 

in comparison to general industrial consumptive-use coefficients 

found in this section. Table 19 lists industrial consumptive-use 

coefficients not associated with a specific SIC code but rather, 

with a geographic area. These general industrial coefficients 

may be based on a mixture of industrial facility types (SIC 

codes), and these mixtures are not known. 

Great Lakes States 

Climatically similar states 

YEAR 

INDUSTRIAL MEDIAN CONSUMPTIVE-USE

 COEFFICIENT, IN PERCENT

Figure 11. Median industrial consumptiveuse coefficients for the Great Lakes States and 

climatically similar states from 1960 to 1995, from 

USGS Circulars. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 31 

Table 19. Summary of industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Used Coefficient Geographic Single Median Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area coefficient coefficient Area	 source statistics other 

Barlow, 20031 Rhode Island, Massachusetts 10	 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Brill and others, 1977 Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio 6	 - Clim sim No Coefficient Primary 

College of Exploration, [n.d] World	 9 - Other No CW Unknown 

Cosgrove and Rijsberman, World 11 - Other No CW Secondary 

2000 

Delaware River Basin Pennsylvania, Delaware, 42 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Commission, [n.d] New Jersey 

Ellefson and others, 1987 Wisconsin	 203 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

103 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2005 New York	 10 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

European Environment Europe 20 - Other No Coefficient Primary 

Agency, 2005 

Great Lakes Commission Great Lakes 10 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

and U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, 1999 

Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes 10 50 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

2005a 

Government of Canada and Great Lakes: 

the U.S. Environmental Canada, Lake Superior 2 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Protection Agency, 1995 Canada, Lake Huron 5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Canada, Lake Erie 4 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Canada, Lake Ontario 4 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States, Lake Superior 15 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States, Lake Michigan 9 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States, Lake Huron 3 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States, Lake Erie 16 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States, Lake Ontario 8 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Horn and others, 1994 Rhode Island	 4 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Horn, 2000 Massachusetts 10	 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Hutson, 1998 Tennessee	 11 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Hutson and others, 2004b Tennessee	 22 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

International Great Lakes Great Lakes By SIC Code - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Diversions and 

Consumptive Use Study 

Board,1981 

Kay, 2002 By state:

 Kentucky 4 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Indiana 7 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

 Michigan 7 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

 Iowa 10 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Missouri 10 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Illinois 15 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

 Wisconsin 15 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

LaTour, 19914 Illinois 12 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

By SIC Code 

Loper and others, 1989 Pennsylvania	 95 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania	 8 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Marcuello and Lallana, 2003 Europe	 206 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Nawyn, 1997 New Jersey	 87 1 Clim Sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Nimiroski and Wild, 2005 Rhode Island	 10 1 Clim Sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 
32 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 19. Summary of industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics Area 

Used 

in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

other 

Data 

source 

Ohlsson, 1997 World 9 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 1988 United States 168 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Resources, 

1975–83 

Pennsylvania 7.5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Pebbles, 2003b By state/province: 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

New York 

Ohio 

Ohio (salt mining) 

Ontario 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec (pulp and paper industry) 

Wisconsin 

Varies9 

6 

10-1510 

Varies9 

25 

10 

90 

Varies11 

Varies9 

10 

10.2 

-

1 

1 

-

1 

1 

-

-

-

-

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Postel, 1996 World 10 - Other No CW Secondary 

Postel and others, 1996 World 10 - Other No CW Primary 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 4 1 Clim Sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 4 1 Clim Sim Yes CW Primary 

Shiklomanov and Rodda, 

2003 

World 

World, 1995 

World, 1900–1995 

Continents 

11 

9 

-

-

-

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Primary 

Primary 

Primary 

Snavely, 1987 Great Lakes 6.5 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Snavely, 1988 Great Lakes 

1975 Study Board 

1975 USGS 

1980 Study Board 

1980 USGS 

1985 Study Board 

1985 USGS 

11 

6.5 

13 

6.5 

14 

9.4 

-

-

1 

1 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Suder and Lessing, 1984 West Virginia 4 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Suder and Lessing, 1985 West Virginia 4 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Suder and Lessing, 1986 West Virginia 3 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Suder and Lessing, 1987 West Virginia 3 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Sweat and Van Til, 1988 Michigan 10 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Tate, 1988 Canada: 

1966 Manufacturing 

1972 Manufacturing 

1976 Manufacturing 

4 

4 

5 

-

-

-

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Tate and Harris, 1999a Great Lakes Basin-Canada 5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Todd, 1970 United States By SIC Code - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

U.S. Business and Defense, 

1967 

United States 6.3 - Other No RW Secondary 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 

1986 1954–1983 

By state: 

1983 Great Lake States 

1983 Climatically Similar 

By SIC Code 

8 

10 

8 

-

-

8 

14 

Other 

Other 

Great Lakes 

Clim sim 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

RW 

RW 

RW 

RW 

Primary 

Primary 

Primary 

Primary 

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1994 

United States 16 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1997 

United States 16 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 33 

Table 19. Summary of industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Used Coefficient Geographic Single Median Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area coefficient coefficient Area	 source statistics other 

U.S. Department of 	 United States 22 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Agriculture, 2003 

USGS Circulars, 1961, 1968, 

1972, 1977, 1983, 1988, By state: 

1993, 1998 Great Lakes States 9 32 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically Similar States	 9 63 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

By basin or region: 

Great Lake Basin 6 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic Region 6 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

New England Region 6 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Ohio Region 7 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Tennessee Region 12 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi Region 5 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

USGS and Tennessee Tennessee 11 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Department of 

Environment and 

Conservation, 2003 

van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium	 By major - Other No CW Secondary 

categories 

Water Resources Council By Basin:	 By major 

(U.S.), 1978 categories 

New England 9 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 11 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Great Lakes 11 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Ohio 8 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Tennessee 7 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 12 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2004 Rhode Island, Connecticut 10	 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2005 Rhode Island	 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Woldorf, 1959 Ohio	 5 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

1

 The consumptive-use coefficient is noted as “New England traditional rates.”
 

2 Single coefficient computed by the fraction of the total water consumed of the total water withdrawn.
 

3

 Consumptive-use coefficients for Ellefson and others was 20 percent for ground-water industrial water use and 10 percent of surface-water industrial withdrawals.
 

4 In LaTour (1991) this was the “minimum consumptive-use ratio” for the industrial category (table 12); the “minimum consumptive-use ratio” method was used to estimate 


consumptive use for the municipal and commercial categories. 

5

 The self-supplied industry coefficient of 9 percent might be artificially high because some of the facilities used both self-supplied and public-supplied water. 

6 Marcuello and Lallana (2003) said that the consumptive-use coefficients were “widely accepted.” 

7 Nawyn (1997) stated that “coefficients of consumptive water use that were developed in other studies were modified and applied to data on water users in Camden county.” Both 

self-supplied withdrawals and public-supplied deliveries for industrial use had the same consumptive use coefficient. 

8 Consumptive-use coefficient for industrial-mining. 

9

 Both manufacturing and mining varies by plant and Standard Industrial Code (SIC). 

10 For the summary statistics, the average of the consumptive-use coefficient range was used. 

11 Facility measured; varies by plant and facility. 

The industrial consumptive-use coefficients in table 19 the same (10 percent; table 9, fig. 12). The 25th and 75th perare organized by reference. Statistical values for references centiles also were similar (7 to 14 percent for the Great Lakes 

with multiple consumptive-use coefficients are listed in Basin and 4 and 13 percent for climatically similar areas; 

table 20. The industrial consumptive-use coefficients medians fig. 12). 

for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas were 
34 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 20. Summary statistics of industrial consumptive-use coefficients from selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary 

statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers (median, 25th and 75th percentiles) are 

rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers (minimum and maximum) are as listed in reference. The area referred to under “geographic area” may be 

the entire geographic area or a small study area.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

N 

Min 

Coefficient statistics 

25th Median 75th Max 

Delaware River Basin 

Commission [n.d] 

Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey 1 0.1 1 6 36 100 

Great Lakes Great Lakes States and Provinces 50 0 6 10 15 25 

Commission, 2005a 

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Environmental 

Pennsylvania - 6.2 7 7 8 11.4 

Resources, 1975–83 

U.S., Bureau of the 

Census, 1986 

By state:

 1983 Great Lake States

 1983 climatically similar states 

8 

14 

5 

0 

8 

4 

10 

8 

12 

12 

16 

21 

USGS Circulars, 1961, 

1968, 1972, 1977, 

1983, 1988, 1993, 

1998 

By state:

 Great Lakes States

 Climatically similar states 

By basin or region:

 Great Lakes Basin

32 

63 

-

2 

0 

4 

4 

5 

6 

9 

9 

6 

10 

12 

8 

35 

39 

9 

 Mid-Atlantic Region

 New England Region

 Ohio Region

 Tennessee Region

 Upper Mississippi Region 

-

-

-

-

-

4 

5 

4 

5 

2 

6 

5 

5 

10 

4 

6 

6 

7 

12 

5 

9 

9 

10 

14 

14 

10 

20 

15 

16 

24 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

Median = 10 

Median = 10 

Median = 10 

0 10 20 30 

Great Lakes Basin 

(N = 122) 

Climatically similar areas 

(N = 97) 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas 

combined (N = 219) 

INDUSTRIAL CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 

Figure 12. Distribution of industrial 

consumptive-use coefficients 

for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas. (An 

explanation of boxplot components 

is given in figure 9.) 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 35 

Figure 13 shows the industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes. Map A shows 1982 manufacturing 

coefficients from the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986) and is 

based on water withdrawals and water returned that industries reported to the Bureau for the entire state (appendix 

table 2-1). The census of 1982 data was the last U.S. Bureau 

of Census (1986) census of manufacturing prepared. Prior to 

1986, the report was prepared about every 5 years between 

1954 to 1983. More detailed information from this report is 

in appendix tables 2–1 to 2–5. The range of consumptive use 

coefficients is 5–16 percent for the Great Lakes states, and the 

median is 10 percent (table 20). 

Figure 13. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for the Great Lakes States. 
36 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

In Pebbles (2003b) and other GLC publications, a table 

(appendix table 3–1) is included that lists the consumptive-use 

coefficients used by each jurisdiction and water-use category. 

As can be seen in this table, many states did not list a single 

coefficient to estimate consumptive use, so coefficients calculated from the GLC annual reports (1998–2002) (appendix 

table 3–3) were used in figure 13, Map B. The GLC data are 

the average of 5 years of data for each state, except for Illinois, 

whose coefficient is only for 2000. The GLC annual report 

coefficients are for the part of the Great Lakes drainage basin 

in each state. (The annual-report coefficients are also available for the Great Lakes Basin parts of Ontario and Quebec in 

Appendix table 3-3.) Withdrawal and consumptive-use data 

for each state are based on a variety of water-use programs and 

methods for compiling data. The Map B industrial consumptive-use coefficients range from 6 to 25 percent with a median 

of 10 (fig. 13B). 

Map C shows the consumptive use of the Great Lakes 

Basin states from Solley and others (1998). Data were estimated by USGS water-use study chiefs in each state, many 

of whom were assisted by state and local agencies. Sources 

of information varied, but many study chiefs included data 

that were collected for individual facilities through permit 

programs. Industrial withdrawals also were estimated using 

the number of employees classified by industry group and per 

employee water-use coefficients (Hutson and others, 2004a). 

Others states estimated consumptive use by means of coefficients, most ranging from 10 to 40 percent of the withdrawals 

and deliveries, depending on the type of industry (Solley and 

others, 1998). For the Great Lakes States, the USGS coefficients were for the entire state in 1995, and they range from 6 

to 21 percent; the median was 10 percent (appendix table 1–3). 

Despite large ranges of consumptive-use coefficients for 

the Great Lakes States, the medians for each dataset were the 

same (10, U.S. Bureau of the Census; 10, GLC annual reports; 

10, USGS Circulars). Each of the maps in figure 13 represents 

a different time period, and the GLC coefficients are only for 

the part of the Great Lakes drainage basin in each state. 

Among the multiple reasons why coefficients between 

Maps A, B, and C (fig. 13) may differ are the following: 

•	 Different time periods 

•	 Different geographic areas 

•	 Types of facilities active during the time of study 

•	 Changes in processes at industrial facilities 

•	 Differences in estimating methods 

•	 Ways in which data are reported 

•	 Differences in data-compilation methods 

With respect to worldwide statistics (Shiklomanov and 

Rodda, 2003; table 21) industrial-use coefficients range from 3 

to 25 percent (in 1900) and from 5 to 18 percent in 1995. The 

1995 assessment had a consumptive-use coefficient median 

of 11 percent (table 22). From 1940 to 1980, there was a large 

increase in industrial water withdrawals in the world. Since 

1980, the industrial water use has remained fairly steady for 

the world even though there may have been changes for individual continents. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 37 

Table 21. Industrial water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use coefficients, by continent, for selected years from 

1900 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in cubic kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data and rounded to the nearest whole 

number.]

 Statistic 1900 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1995 1900–1995 

Europe1 

Total withdrawn 9.3 23.4 36.3 104 168 206 214 228 989 

Consumptive use 1.1 2.2 3.2 7.0 11.6 22.3 26.9 28.5 102.8 

Coefficient 12 9 9 7 7 11 13 13 10 

Asia2 

Total withdrawn 4 18 33 51 107 153 176 184 726 

Consumptive use 1 4 6 9 13 19 29 30 111 

Coefficient 25 22 18 18 12 12 16 16 15 

Africa3 

Total withdrawn .4 .8 1.4 2.7 5.8 9.7 9.0 9.6 39.4 

Consumptive use .1 .1 .2 .5 .8 1.4 1.6 1.7 6.4 

Coefficient 25 13 14 19 14 14 18 18 16 

North America4 

Total withdrawn 21.8 - 104 165 246 293 259 266 1,354.8 

Consumptive use .7 - 3.9 6.4 10.2 13.4 13.8 14.6 63 

Coefficient 3 - 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 

South America5 

Total withdrawn 1.3 2.2 3.0 4.9 8.4 13.3 15.9 19.0 68 

Consumptive use .26 .4 .6 .8 .9 1.1 1.2 1.6 6.86 

Coefficient 20 18 20 16 11 8 8 8 10 

Australia and Oceania6 

Total withdrawn 1.00 3.00 4.10 6.20 8.30 10.5 6.70 7.20 47 

Consumptive use .20 .45 .50 .64 .69 .78 .46 .62 4.34 

Coefficient 20 15 12 10 8 7 7 9 9 

Total 

Total withdrawn 37.8 47.4 181.8 333.8 543.5 685.5 680.6 713.8 3,224.2 

Consumptive use 3.36 7.15 14.4 24.34 37.19 57.98 72.96 77.02 294.4 

Coefficient 9 15 8 7 7 8 11 11 9 

1

 Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003) page 85, from table 4. 

2

 Ibid., p. 135, from table 5.25. 

3

 Ibid., p. 192, from table 6.18. 

4

 Ibid., p. 258, from table 7.22. 

5

 Ibid., p. 316, from table 8.19. 

6

 Ibid., p. 346, From table 9.21. 

Table 22. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients for major countries, 

continents, and the world. 

[Coefficient is in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number] 

Reference Geographic area Coefficient 

College of Exploration [n.d.] World 9 

Cosgrove and Rijsberman, 2000 World 11 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 9 

European Environment Agency, 2005 Europe 20 

Marcuello and Lallana, 2003 Europe 20 

Postel and others, 1996 World 10 

Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003 World 11 

(1995 assessment) 

By continent:

 Europe 13 

Asia 16 

Africa 18 

North America 5 

South America 8 

Australia and Oceania 9 

Solley and others, 1998 United States 15 
 

 

38 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

The four references with industrial consumptive-use coefficients for the world listed in table 22 (9 to 11 percent) were 

similar to coefficients reported by Shiklomanov and Rodda 

(2003). Coefficients from other references for large countries or continents also were comparable to the coefficients 

published in Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003). Table 23 lists 

industrial withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use 

coefficients for European regions (Shiklomanov and Rodda, 

2003); coefficients range from 6 to 22 percent. 

Table 23. Industrial water withdrawal, consumptive use, and 

consumptive-use coefficients for European regions for selected 

years from 1980 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003) p. 88. Total withdrawn and 

consumptive use are in cubic kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; 

coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data and rounded to the nearest 

whole number. ] 

Statistic 1980 1990 1995 1980–1995 

Northern Europe 

Total withdrawn 6.64 6.29 7.01 19.94 

Consumptive use .60 .57 .67 1.84 

Coefficient 9 9 10 9 

Central Europe 

Total withdrawn 94.3 93.8 102.0 290.1 

Consumptive use 7.5 8.4 9.8 25.7 

Coefficient 8 9 10 9 

Southern Europe 

Total withdrawn 38.3 40.5 45.1 123.9 

Consumptive use 3.1 2.8 2.9 8.8 

Coefficient 8 7 6 7 

Northern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn 11.2 13.00 12.20 36.4 

Consumptive use 1.30 1.60 1.60 4.5 

Coefficient 12 12 13 12 

Southern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn 55.9 60.0 60.5 176.4 

Consumptive use 9.8 13.4 13.4 36.6 

Coefficient 18 22 22 21 

Total 

Total withdrawn 206.34 213.59 226.81 646.74 

Consumptive use 22.3 26.77 28.37 77.44 

Coefficient 11 13 13 12 

Industrial Use by Major Standard Industrial 

Classification Codes 

The U.S. Bureau of the Census (1986) formerly reported 

industrial water use for water-resource regions by major SIC 

code groups. In the Great Lakes region, approximately 93 percent of the industrial water withdrawals were from six major 

groups, which are listed in table 24 and appendix table 2–3. 

The remaining 7 percent of withdrawals are distributed among 

12 other major categories (appendix table 2–3). The three largest industrial water-use groups were primary metal industries, 

chemicals and allied products, and paper and allied products. 

These three industrial groups made up 84 percent of the total 

industrial withdrawals for the Great Lakes Basin in 1983 (U.S. 

Bureau of Census, 1986) and 82 percent of the total withdrawals in Canada in 1996 (Environment Canada, 2004). 

Consumptive-use coefficients in table 25 are organized 

by type of industry listed for the six major groups on the basis 

of reports with industrial water-use data. The consumptive-use 

coefficients vary by region. The differences in coefficients 

may in part be due to differences in the mix of industry types 

in each geographic area. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 39 

Table 24. Industrial consumptive use for six industrial major-group categories with the largest 

consumptive use in the Great Lakes Basin in 1983. 

[Modified from U.S. Bureau of the Census (1986). Water withdrawn, water discharged, and water consumed are in 

billion gallons and are rounded to one decimal place as in the reference. Water consumed is calculated by subtracting 

the water discharged from the water withdrawn. The coefficient, in percent, is the consumptive-use coefficient derived 

by dividing the calculated water consumed by the water withdrawn and rounded to the nearest whole number.] 

Water Water Water Coefficient Industrial category withdrawn discharged consumed (%) 

SIC code 33: Primary metal industries 1,218.2 1,119.6 98.6 8 

SIC code 26: Paper and allied products 228.5 181.1 47.4 21 

SIC code 28: Chemicals and allied products 183.6 174.3 9.3 5 

SIC code 20: Food and kindred products 70.8 62.4 8.4 12 

SIC code 32: Stone, clay, and glass products 49.2 46.7 2.5 5 

SIC code 37: Transportation equipment 48.8 44.6 4.2 9 

Table 25. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry groups.—Continued 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography reference. Year of data refers to the year that data was compiled. Industrial group or Standard Industrial 

Code (SIC) is either the group name or the SIC major industry code that the reference used to define the type of water use. The coefficient is the percentage of the water consumed out of the water withdrawn. All numbers are rounded. – denotes that there was no consumptive-use coefficient either because of 

census masking or because water returned was greater than the water intake.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Year of data 

Industry group 

or 

SIC code 

Coefficient 

(%) 

SIC code 20: Food and kindred products 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 1996 Food 11 

1996 Beverages 23 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Canada 1971 Food and 9 

Consumptive Use Study Board, 1981 beverages 

Snavely, 1986 New York 1979 20 16 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 20 15 

1983 Food 13 

1983 Beverages 23 

1978 20 12 

1973 20 7 

1968 20 7 

1964 20 9 

1959 20 8 

1954 20 11 

Great Lakes 1983 20 12 

New England " 45 

Middle Atlantic " 18 

Ohio " 23 

Upper Mississippi " 8 

Tennessee " 22 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978 New England Region 1978 Food 16 

Mid-Atlantic Region " 17 

Great Lakes Region " 11 

Ohio Region " 14 

Tennessee Region " 5 

Upper Mississippi " 12 

Region 

van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium 1974 Food 12 
40 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 25. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry groups.—Continued 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography reference. Year of data refers to the year that data was compiled. Industrial group or Standard Industrial 

Code (SIC) is either the group name or the SIC major industry code that the reference used to define the type of water use. The coefficient is the percentage of the water consumed out of the water withdrawn. All numbers are rounded. – denotes that there was no consumptive-use coefficient either because of 

census masking or because water returned was greater than the water intake.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Year of data 

Industry group 

or 

SIC code 

Coefficient 

(%) 

SIC code 26: Paper and allied products 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 1996 Paper and al­ 9 

lied products 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Canada 1971 Paper and 5 

Consumptive Use Study Board, 1981 allied products 

Snavely, 1986 New York 1979 26 8 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 26 7 

1978 26 10 

1973 26 5 

1968 26 8 

1964 26 6 

1959 26 6 

1954 26 9 

Great Lakes 1983 26 21 

New England " 4 

Middle Atlantic " 15 

Ohio " 2 

Upper Mississippi " 10 

Tennessee " 4 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978 New England Region 1978 Paper 9 

Mid-Atlantic Region " 10 

Great Lakes Region " 15 

Ohio Region " 10 

Tennessee Region " 11 

Upper Mississippi " 6 

Region 

van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium 1974 Paper 10 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 41 

Table 25. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry groups.—Continued 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography reference. Year of data refers to the year that data was compiled. Industrial group or Standard Industrial 

Code (SIC) is either the group name or the SIC major industry code that the reference used to define the type of water use. The coefficient is the percentage of the water consumed out of the water withdrawn. All numbers are rounded. – denotes that there was no consumptive-use coefficient either because of 

census masking or because water returned was greater than the water intake.] 

Industry group Geographic Coefficient Reference Year of data or 

area (%) SIC code 

SIC code 28: Chemicals and allied products 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 1996 Chemicals and 8 

chemical 

products 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Canada 1971 Chemicals and 5 

Consumptive Use Study Board, 1981 chemical 

products 

Snavely, 1986 New York 1979 28 4 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 28 12 

1978 28 10 

1973 28 6 

1968 28 7 

1964 28 5 

1959 28 6 

1954 28 5 

Great Lakes 1983 28 5 

New England " 0 

Middle Atlantic " 4 

Ohio " 3 

Upper Mississippi " 15 

Tennessee " 22 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978 New England Region 1978 Chemicals 14 

Mid-Atlantic Region " 10 

Great Lakes Region " 4 

Ohio Region " 5 

Tennessee Region " 5 

Upper Mississippi " 14 

Region 

van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium 1974 Chemical 6 
42 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 25. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry groups.—Continued 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography reference. Year of data refers to the year that data was compiled. Industrial group or Standard Industrial 

Code (SIC) is either the group name or the SIC major industry code that the reference used to define the type of water use. The coefficient is the percentage of the water consumed out of the water withdrawn. All numbers are rounded. – denotes that there was no consumptive-use coefficient either because of 

census masking or because water returned was greater than the water intake.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Year of data 

Industry group 

or 

SIC code 

Coefficient 

(%) 

SIC code 32: Stone, clay, and glass products 

Snavely, 1986 New York 1979 32 9 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 32 14 

1978 32 12 

1973 32 12 

1968 32 13 

1964 32 12 

19591 32 -

1954 32 9 

Great Lakes 1983 32 5 

New England " 15 

Middle Atlantic " 7 

Ohio " 12 

Upper Mississippi " 14 

Tennessee " -

SIC code 33: Primary metal industries 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 1996 Primary Metals 8 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Canada 1971 Iron&Steel and 2 

Consumptive Use Study Board, 1981 other primary 

metals 

Snavely, 1986 New York 1979 33 1 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 33 11 

1978 33 8 

1973 33 4 

1968 33 6 

1964 33 6 

1959 33 4 

1954 33 4 

Great Lakes 1983 33 8 

New England " 8 

Middle Atlantic " 12 

Ohio " 11 

Upper Mississippi " 37 

Tennessee " -
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 43 

Table 25. Industrial consumptive-use coefficients, by industrial category, for six industry groups.—Continued 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography reference. Year of data refers to the year that data was compiled. Industrial group or Standard Industrial 

Code (SIC) is either the group name or the SIC major industry code that the reference used to define the type of water use. The coefficient is the percentage of the water consumed out of the water withdrawn. All numbers are rounded. – denotes that there was no consumptive-use coefficient either because of 

census masking or because water returned was greater than the water intake.] 

Industry group Geographic	 Coefficient Reference	 Year of data or 

area	 (%) SIC code 

SIC code 33: Primary metal industries—Continued 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978	 New England Region 1978 Primary metals 3 

Mid-Atlantic Region " 15 

Great Lakes Region " 14 

Ohio Region " 7 

Tennessee Region " 16 

Upper Mississippi " 13 

Region 

Van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium 1974 Iron & steel 9 

and nonferrous 

SIC code 37: Transportation equipment 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 1996 Transportation 29 

Equipment 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Canada 1971 Transportation 3 

Consumptive Use Study Board, 1981 Equipment 

Snavely, 1986	 New York 1979 37 <1 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986 United States 1983 37 9 

1978 37 6 

1973 37 6 

1968 37 6 

1964 37 4 

1959 37 1 

1954 37 7 

Great Lakes 1983 37 9 

New England " ­

Middle Atlantic " 5 

Ohio " 15 

Upper Mississippi " 13 

Tennessee " 7 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978 New England Region 1978 Transportation 8 

Mid-Atlantic Region " 9 

Great Lakes Region " 12 

Ohio Region " 24 

Tennessee Region "	 ­

Upper Mississippi " 19 

Region 
 

 

44 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

With the exception of Environment Canada (2004), all tive-use coefficients for the six largest industrial water-use SIC 

references were for data collected more than 20 years ago groups (table 24) are presented in table 26. 

(1954 to 1983). Consumptive-use coefficients from 20 or more Paper and allied products, chemicals and allied products, 

years ago may not accurately reflect current consumptive-use and primary metal industries had a median within 2 percent 

coefficients because the industrial water-use processes might of the most recent coefficient, that from Environment Canada 

have changed over time. Summary statistics of the consump- (2004) (table 26). 

Table 26. Summary statistics for industrial consumptive-use coefficients listed in table 25 for six industrial groups. 

[Industry refers to the products produced for six major Standard Industrial Classification code categories. Environment Canada (2004) is the source for 

the consumptive-use coefficient for each of the major categories from this reference and is in percent. The minimum, median, maximum, 10th percentile, 

25th percentile, 75th percentile and the 90th percentile are in percent. N is the number of references used in the statistical analysis. ] 

Industry N Min 10th 

percentile 

25th 

percentile Median 75th 

percentile 

90th 

percentile Max 

Environment 

Canada 

(2004) 

Food and kindred products 22 5 7 9 12 16 22 45 11 & 231 

Paper and allied products 23 2 4 6 9 10 14 21 9 

Chemicals and allied products 23 0 4 5 6 10 14 22 8 

Stone, clay, and glass products 12 5 7 9 12 13 14 15 -

Primary metal industries 22 1 3 4 8 12 15 37 8 

Transportation equipment 19 1 4 6 8 12 20 29 29 

1

 In the publication for Environment Canada (2004), food and kindred products are separated into Food (11 percent) and Beverages (23 percent). This same 

comparison was possible with the U.S. Bureau of the Census reference (1986), where food was 13 percent and beverages were 23 percent. 

Environment Canada (2004) and U.S. Bureau of the 

Census (1986) separated the food and kindred products into 

two categories: food and beverages. For the food category, 

the consumptive-use coefficients from these two references 

were similar (11 and 13 percent), and both references listed a 

consumptive-use coefficient of 23 percent for beverages. 

The bottled-water industry is omitted in both references, 

but it has increased sales in both Canada and the United 

States over the last 10 years (Canadian Environmental Law 

Association, 2004). Fahrenthold (2006) cites Robert Glennon (a law professor at the University of Arizona) as saying 

that 100 percent of bottled water is consumptive use and that 

once the water is put in the bottle, the water is gone. Similarly, 

the Canadian Bottled Water Association (n.d.) stated (in a 

response to the Ontario Ministry on watershed-based source 

protection planning) that more than 97 percent of the water 

for the bottling industry is intended for human consumption, 

implying that 97 percent of bottled water is consumed. 

The ethanol fuel industry has been increasing since 1980 

in the United States, but with 79 plants under construction and 

7 plant expansions, the current capacity of ethanol production will more than double from 5,750.4 to 12,088.3 Mgal/yr 

(Renewable Fuels Association, 2007). In ethanol plants water 

is evaporated; recycled into plant-process streams; incorporated into plant by-products; used for sanitation, cleaning, 

and emergencies; and discharged from the plant as nonprocess wastewater (U.S. Department of Energy, 2005). New 

process technology has minimized both the volume of water 

use required in ethanol plants and the water discharge (Clean 

Fuels Development Coalition and Nebraska Ethanol Board, 

2006), which increases the consumptive-use coefficient. Three 

site-specific references were found with water use and return 

flow estimates for ethanol plants, but consumptive-use coefficients varied (table 27). More data (water use and consumptive use) and further studies are needed on ethanol plants for 

water managers to better understand and plan for the water and 

consumptive use in ethanol plants. 

Environment Canada (2004) found that the consumptiveuse coefficient for the Transportation Equipment industrial 

category was 29 percent. This coefficient is substantially 

higher than the median transportation equipment coefficient 

of 8 percent (computed from 19 references, 18 of which are 

more than 20 years old) and the median industrial coefficients of 10 percent for the GLB, climatically similar areas, 

and the world (table 9). Interestingly, General Motors (2001) 

stated that in 2000, the global operations purchased and used 

6 percent less water than in 1999 and the North American 

plants decreased water use on a per vehicle basis by 8 percent 

between 1999 and 2000. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 45 

Table 27. Ethanol-production water use, return flow, and consumptive-use coefficients. 

[Water use and return flow are in million gallons per day. Coefficient (calculated by subtracting return flow 

from water use divided by water use) is in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number] 

Reference Water use Return flow Coefficient 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2006 0.402 0.178 56 

Existing Ethanol Plant1 

Mark Muller, Institute for Agriculture and .0540 .0125 77 

Trade Policy, written commun., 20072 

U.S. Department of Energy, 20053 .576 .144 75 

1

 Water use based on 2005 water reporting. Return flow is the “current discharge volume” “based on 2005 

average flows.” The return flow includes reverse-osmosis reject water/iron-filter backwash and cooling-tower 

blowdown. 

2

 Water use and return flow based on external process water balance “water in” and “water out” for one 

ethanol plant in Wisconsin. 

3

 Proposed withdrawal and discharge from an environmental assessment of a proposed fuel ethanol plant 

in Indiana. “Approximately one-quarter of this drawdown (100 gpm) would be discharged from the plant as 

non-process wastewater.” 

The medians of the SIC specific coefficients (table 26) 

(ranging from 6 to 12 percent) were similar to the median 

industrial coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically 

similar areas, and the world (table 9) (10 percent). Additionally, in the most recent water-availability publication of 

Environment Canada (2004), SIC coefficients were comparable to the median SIC specific coefficients (table 26) except 

for the transportation-equipment industrial category (8 versus 

29 percent), implying that either the 8 percent coefficient 

may not reflect current consumptive-use coefficients for the 

transportation-equipment industry or the Environment Canada 

coefficient reflects facilities with a larger rate of consumption than most other transportation–equipment facilities. The 

median consumptive-use coefficients (23) for the beverage and 

bottle industries were also significantly higher than the median 

industrial coefficients (10 percent) for the Great Lakes Basin, 

climatically similar areas, and the world (table 9). 

Appendix table 2–5 lists consumptive use coefficients 

from the Census of Manufacturing in 1983 by SIC and NAICS 

codes (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986). Table 28 includes 

a list of industries with consumptive-use coefficients greater 

than 30 percent. Industries that have a higher consumptiveuse coefficient may have a greater percent of the water being 

either incorporated into products or evaporated. Many of these 

industries reported small withdrawal amounts, as noted in 

the table 28. Some industrial groups were withheld to avoid 

disclosing data for individual companies, and it is unknown 

what their consumptive-use coefficient was. (These industries 

are noted in appendix table 2–5). 

Table 28. Industries with a consumptive-use coefficient 

greater than 30 percent in 1983. 

[Modified from U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1986.] 

SIC Industry Coefficient 

2041 Flour and other grain mill products1 38 

2043 Cereal breakfast foods 36 

2044 Rice milling1 33 

2051 Bread, cake, and related products1 42 

2063 Beet sugar 34 

2077 Animal and marine fats and oils 46 

2086 Bottled and canned soft drinks 45 

2296 Tie cord and fabric1 33 

2297 Nonwoven fabrics1 33 

2435 Hardwood veneer and plywood1 67 

2436 Softwood veneer and plywood 43 

2813 Industrial gases 36 

2831 Biological products1 38 

284 Soaps, cleaners, and toilet goods2 40 

2873 Nitrogenous fertilizers 36 

2874 Phosphatic fertilizers 34 

2895 Carbon pack1 81 

2992 Lubricating oils and greases1 50 

2999 Petroleum and coal products 46 

325 Structural clay products1,2 50 

3264 Porcelain electrical supplies1 33 

3275 Gypsum products 59 

3293 Gaskets, packing, and sealing devices1 50 

3332 Primary lead1 57 

3433 Heating equipment, except electric1 33 

351 Engines and turbines2 35 

3563 Air and gas compressors1 50 

3764 Space propulsion units and parts 30 

1

 Coefficient based on less than 2 billion gallons of water withdrawn. 

2

 Industrial group used due to census masking. 
46 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Thermoelectric Power 

Thermoelectric-power water use is water used in the 

process of generating electric power by means of fossil-fuel, 

nuclear, and geothermal power sources. The amount of consumptive use (or evaporation) that occurs during the process of 

condenser and reactor cooling associated with the generation 

of electric power depends on the engineering at the plant. For 

condenser and reactor cooling, thermoelectric plants can use 

once-through cooling, cooling towers and ponds, or a combination of both. A once-through thermoelectric power facility is a facility that uses water only once in the condenser– 

and reactor–cooling process before returning the water to a 

surface-water source. Once-through cooling requires large 

amounts of water, but evaporation is small (usually less than 

3 percent) (Solley and others, 1998). Thermoelectric plants 

that do not use once-through cooling (open-loop) are called 

“other than once-through cooling thermoelectric plants” 

(closed-loop or recirculating). An other than once-through 

thermoelectric power facility uses cooling towers or cooling 

ponds to recycle water repeatedly for condenser and reactor 

cooling; the water withdrawals are smaller, but consumptive 

use is larger, typically greater than 60 percent (Solley and others, 1998). Facilities that combine once-through cooling with 

cooling towers and cooling ponds can have varying consumptive-use coefficients depending on the characteristics of their 

operation. 

The engineering at a thermoelectric plant depends on 

many factors including water availability. Facilities that have 

access to an abundant water supply may have once-though 

cooling and therefore will have a lower consumptive-use 

coefficient. Facilities with limited water availability may have 

cooling towers or cooling ponds to reuse their water until most 

(if not all) of the water is evaporated. 

Table 29 is a compilation of thermoelectric consumptiveuse coefficients listed by reference, and table 30 is a statistical 

summary for references with multiple coefficients and geographic areas. In many references, the thermoelectric consumptive-use coefficients reported had large ranges—as much 

as 0.1 to 100 percent in one source (table 30 and annotated 

bibliography). The medians also ranged significantly because 

of the number of facilities and the various types of engineering at the facilities (once-through in contrast to cooling ponds 

or cooling towers) (table 30). The overall consumptive-use 

coefficients (total water consumed divided by total water 

withdrawals for all sites) for these references in table 30 were 

all less than 2 percent (table 29) because the once-through 

cooling systems use significantly more water than the facilities 

with cooling towers and ponds. 

Most of the thermoelectric consumptive-use coefficients 

were computed from the amount of water consumed divided 

by water withdrawals. However, coefficients calculated from 

the amount of water (gallons) consumed per kilowatt-hour 

(kWh) were given in two reports. Torcellini and others (2003) 

compiled thermoelectric consumptive-use coefficient by states 

and found that the total weighted average water consumption for the United States was 0.47 gal/kWh and 0.49 gal/ 

kWh for the Eastern Electric grid (which includes the Great 

Lakes area). For Great Lakes States, the water consumption 

range was from 0.41 gal/kWh for Indiana to 1.05 gal/kWh 

for Illinois (Torcellini and others, 2003). The International 

Great Lakes diversions and consumptive-use study board 

(1981) found a range of consumptive-use coefficients from 

0.21 to 0.33 million gallons per day per gigawatt hour per year 

(Mgal/d/gWh/yr) for fossil-fuel thermoelectric plants and 0.35 

to 0.56 Mgal/d/gWh/yr for nuclear plants. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 47 

Table 29. Summary of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas. —Continued 

 [See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference. Gal/kwh is gallons per kilowatt hour.] 

Single Median Used Coefficient Geographic coefficient coefficient Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area (in (in area	 source statistics Other percent) percent) 

Barlow, 20031 Rhode Island, 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Massachussetts 

Brill and others, 1977 Illinois, Indiana, .1 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Kentucky, Ohio 

Delaware River Basin Pennsylvania, 1 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Commission [n.d.]2 Delaware, 

New Jersey 

Ellefson and others, 1987 Wisconsin 1	 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2005: New York 

Fossil fuel 2 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Nuclear 3.6 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

European Environment Agency, Europe 5 - Other No Ceofficient Primary 

2005 

Great Lakes Commission, 2005a 

Annual reports 1998–2002: Great Lakes 

 Fossil fuel 1 45 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Nuclear 1 30 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes <2	 - Great Lakes No Coefficient Primary 

U.S. Army Corps of 


Engineers, 1999
 

Government of Canada and the Great Lakes: 

U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1995 Canada: 

Lake Superior 0 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Huron 1 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Erie 1 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Ontario 1 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

United States: 

Lake Superior 1 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Michigan 2 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Huron 2 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Erie 1 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Lake Ontario 2 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Hutson and others, 2004b Tennessee 1	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

International Great Lakes Great Lakes Gal/kwh - Great Lakes No Coefficient Secondary 

Diversions and Consumptive 

Use Study Board,19813 

Kay, 2002 Kentucky, Indiana, <4 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Michigan, Iowa, 

Missouri, Illinois, 

Wisconsin 

Loper and others, 1989 Pennsylvania 1.7 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania 4	 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Marcuello and Lallana, 20034 Europe 5	 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 1988 United States 3.3 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pennsylvania Department of 	 Pennsylvania 1.23 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

Environmental Resources, 

1975–83 
48 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 29. Summary of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas. —Continued 

 [See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference. Gal/kwh is gallons per kilowatt hour.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

(in 

percent) 

Median 

coefficient 

(in 

percent) 

N Statistics 

area 

Used 

in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

Other 

Data 

source 

Pebbles, 2003b By state/province: 

Fossil fuel:

 Illinois

 Indiana

 Michigan

 Minnesota

 New York

 Ohio

 Ontario

 Pennsylvania

 Quebec

 Wisconsin 

Nuclear:

 Illinois

 Indiana

 Michigan

 Minnesota

 New York

 Ohio

 Ontario

 Pennsylvania

 Quebec

 Wisconsin 

By water5 

2 

1-26 

2 

2 

By water5 

.9 

-

10 

.5-16 

By water5 

-

1-26 

-

5 

14 

.9 

-

-

.5-16 

-

1 

1 

1 

1 

-

1 

-

1 

1 

-

-

1 

-

1 

1 

1 

-

-

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 

Kentucky Basin 

4 

5 

1 

1 

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

Primary 

Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 6 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Snavely, 1987 Great Lakes .3 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Snavely, 1988:

 1975 Study Board

 1975 USGS

 1980 Study Board

 1980 USGS

 1985 Study Board

 1985 USGS 

Great Lakes 

1.2 

.21 

1.7 

.34 

2.1 

4.9 

-

-

1 

1 

1 

1 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

Great Lakes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Stevens and others, 1984 West Virginia 13.85 1 Clim Sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 1984 West Virginia 10.7 1 Clim Sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 1985 West Virginia 16 1 Clim Sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 1986 West Virgina 12.7 1 Clim Sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 1987 West Virgina 15.6 1 Clim Sim Yes RW Primary 

Sweat and Van Til, 1988 Michigan 1.3 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Tate, 1988:

 1966 Manufacturing

 1972 Manufacturing

 1976 Manufacturing 

Canada 

1 

1 

1 

-

-

-

Other 

Other 

Other 

No 

No 

No 

CW 

CW 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Tate and Harris, 1999a7 Great Lakes 

Basin–Canada 

.09 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Torcellini and others, 20038 United States gal/kWh - Other No Coefficient Secondary 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 49 

Table 29. Summary of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas. —Continued 

 [See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference. Gal/kwh is gallons per kilowatt hour.] 

Single Median Used Coefficient Geographic coefficient coefficient Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area (in (in area	 source statistics Other percent) percent) 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 	 United States 3 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

1994 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 	 United States 3 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

1997 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 	 United States 3 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

2003 

U.S. Department of Energy, 20049 United States By plant - Other No CW Primary 

USGS Circulars, 1961, 1968, 1972, 

1977, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 By states: 

Great Lakes States 2 32 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically 

similar states	 2 4 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

By basin or region: 

Great Lake 2 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

New England 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Ohio 4 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Tennessee 0 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

USGS and Tennessee Department Tennessee .5 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

of Environment and Conservation, 

2003 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), By major 

1978 By region or basin: categories 

New England 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 1 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Great Lakes 1 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Ohio 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Tennessee 1 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 2 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

van der Leeden, 1975 Belgium 0	 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Van Til and Scott, 1986 Michigan 1.3 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Woldorf, 1959	 Ohio 1 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

1

 Based on one facility and not used in the statistical analysis.
 

2

 This number is based on a couple of facilities and not used in the statistical analysis.
 

3

 Consumption based on using a coefficient based on the energy that is created. For fossil-fuel plants, the range was 0.21 to 0.33 million gallons per day per 


gigawatt-hour per year. For nuclear plants, the range was 0.35 to 0.56 Mgal/d/GWh/yr. 

4 Marcuello and Lallana (2003) said that the consumptive-use coefficients were “widely accepted.” 

5

 Individually estimated based on the quantity of makeup water. 

6

 For the summary statistics, the average of the consumptive-use coefficient range was used. 

7

 This is for once-through thermoelectric power generation. 

8

 Consumption based on water consumed per kilowatt. 

9

 Reference is by each thermoelectric plant. 
50 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 30. Summary statistics of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients from selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary 

statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References with more than one coefficient are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers are 

rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in reference. The geographic area is defined by states, basins, or regions—it can be for the 

entire geographic area to a small study area within the geographic area.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

N 

Min 

Coefficient statistics 

25th Median 75th Max 

Delaware River Basin 

Commission [n.d]1 

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, 

Delaware 

- 0.1 0.4 11 44 100 

Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Resources, 

1975–832 

Pennsylvania - .02 .2 .7 .8 8.6 

USGS Circulars, 1983, 1988, 

1993, 1998 By states: 

 Great Lakes States

 Climatically similar states 

By basin or region:

 Great Lakes Basin

32 

64 

-

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

3 

21 

751 

5 

 Mid-Atlantic Region

 New England Region

 Ohio Region

 Tennessee Region

 Upper Mississippi Region 

-

-

-

-

-

1 

0 

2 

0 

2 

1 

1 

4 

0 

2 

2 

2 

4 

0 

2 

3 

2 

4 

0 

2 

6 

2 

4 

0 

4 

1

 Delaware River Basin Commission is considered climatically similar and used the single coefficient in table 29. Single coefficient computed by the fraction 

of the total water consumed of the total water withdrawn. 

2

 Some volumes of this reference were published before and after 1980 and therefore were not used in the summary analysis in tables 9 and 43. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (2004) Web site reports 

site-specific facility data for thermoelectric plants and includes 

the average annual rate of cooling-water withdrawals, the 

average annual rate of cooling-water discharge, and the average annual rate of cooling-water consumption to the nearest 

0.1 ft3/s per facility in the United States. Data for 2001, 2002, 

2003, and 2004 are currently available and can serve as a starting point for determining the consumptive use or consumptiveuse coefficient for a facility or a group of facilities. 

Figure 14 shows the thermoelectric consumptive-use 

coefficients for the Great Lakes States and Basin for 1995 

from Solley and others (1998) (Appendix table 1–5) and 

Great Lakes Commission (2005a) annual reports 1998–2002 

(appendix table 3–4 and 3–5 combined). The ranges of coefficients from both references are similar, 1 to 4 percent and 1 

to 3 percent, even though the references are for different years 

and different geographic areas. Four states—Indiana, Illinois, 

Wisconsin, and Minnesota—had the same thermoelectric 

consumptive-use coefficient. The coefficient differences for 

the other states may be from the variance of the number and 

type of thermoelectric plants in each area by year. Thermoelectric consumptive-use coefficients from both Solley and 

others (1998) and the Great Lakes Commission (2005a) annual 

reports (1998–2002) had a median of 2 percent (from fig. 14). 

Although boxplots show many data outliers (fig. 15), the 

medians for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas (table 9) are consistent with the median of the references 

shown in figure 14 (2 percent). The 25th and 75th percentiles 

for the Great Lakes Basin (1 to 2 percent) and climatically 

similar areas (0 to 4 percent) compared closely (table 9). 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 51 

Figure 14. Thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for the Great 

Lake States. 
52 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

Great Lakes Basin 

(N = 141) 

Climatically similar areas 

(N = 75) 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas 

combined (N = 216) 

Median = 2 

Median = 2 

Median = 2 

0 20 40 60 80 

THERMOELECTRIC POWER CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 

Figure 15. Distribution of thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin 

and climatically similar areas. (An explanation of boxplot components is given in figure 9.) 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 53 

Irrigation 

Irrigation water use is the application of water on 

lands to assist in the growing of crops, pastures, or nurseries 

or to maintain vegetative growth in recreational lands such 

as parks and golf courses. Water use and consumptive use in 

crop irrigation are affected by annual rainfall, crops grown, 

soil type, and irrigation methods. Irrigation consumptive use 

is from evapotranspiration (the combination of evaporation 

and transpiration from watering vegetation). Irrigation in the 

eastern United States is used to supplement natural precipitation. During droughts, crops are irrigated to reduce the risk 

of crop failures. Additionally, irrigation helps increase crop 

yields and the number of plantings per year. Irrigation in 

the western United States developed as the West was settled 

because natural precipitation was not sufficient to raise many 

crops. Therefore, much larger amounts of water are withdrawn 

for irrigation in the western United States than in the eastern 

United States and the Great Lakes Basin. 

Irrigation methods also affect water consumption. 

Depending on technology, irrigation methods range in consumption from 30 to 40 percent for flood irrigation to 90 percent for drip irrigation (Cosgrove and others, 2000). 

Table 31 lists irrigation consumptive-use coefficients by 

reference. The consumptive-use coefficient may be listed as a 

single coefficient or the median for references with multiple 

coefficients. Summary statistics for references with multiple 

coefficients are listed in table 32. 

Many references used the terms “agriculture withdrawals” and “agriculture consumptive use.” These terms represent 

both irrigation and livestock withdrawals and are listed in 

both the irrigation and livestock summary tables (tables 31 

and 36). The statistical analysis was computed using coefficients from 1980 to 2005 because irrigation methods changed 

and compilation methods changed in the USGS National 

Water-Use Information Program (Solley and others, 1983). 

References that were not specific—for example, those that 

reported consumptive-use coefficients of “almost all” or “more 

than 90 percent”—were not used in the statistical summary 

(table 9). 

Irrigation water and consumptive use at a day lily farm with microirrigation. 
54 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 31. Summary of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics area 

Used 

in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

other 

Data 

source 

Barlow, 2003 Rhode Island, 76 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Massachusetts 

College of Exploration World 65 - Other No CW Unknown 

[n.d]1 

Cosgrove and Rijsberman, World 70 - Other No CW Secondary 

2000 

Ellefson and others, 1987 Wisconsin 100 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2005 New York 87 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

European Environment Europe 80 - Other No Coefficient Primary 

Agency, 20051 

Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes 90 42 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

2005a 

Horn and others, 1994 Rhode Island 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Hutson, 1998 Tennessee Almost all - Clim sim No CW Primary 

Hutson and others, 2004b Tennessee 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

International Great Great Lakes 752 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Lakes Diversions and 

Consumptive Use Study 

Board, 1981 

Kay, 2002 Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, >903 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Wisconsin, Minnesota 

Missouri 75 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

LaTour, 1991 Illinois 804 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Loper and others, 1989 Pennsylvania 100 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania 100 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Marcuello and Lallana, Europe 805 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

20031 

Medalie, 1997a Vermont 90 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Medalie, 1997b New Hampshire 90 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Nawyn, 1997 New Jersey 90 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Nimiroski and Wild, 20051 Rhode Island 1006 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Ohlsson, 19971 World 65 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 1988 United States 53.9 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pebbles, 2003b Great Lakes, 87 

By state or province:

 Illinois 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Indiana 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Michigan 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Minnesota 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 New York 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ohio 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ontario 78 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Pennsylvania 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Quebec 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Wisconsin 70 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 55 

Table 31. Summary of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Used Coefficient Geographic Single Median Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area coefficient coefficient area	 source statistics other 

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 100 - Great Lakes No Coefficient Primary 

Department of 

Environmental 

Resources, 1975–83 

Postel, 19961 World	 65 - Other No CW Secondary 

Postel and others, 19961 World	 65 - Other No CW Primary 

Shiklamanov and Rodda, World 70 - Other No Coefficient Primary 

20031 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 96	 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 95	 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Snavely, 1988: Great Lakes 

1975 Study Board 74 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

1975 USGS 95 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

1980 Study Board 76 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1980 USGS 100 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1985 Study Board 80 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1985 USGS 100 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Stevens and others, 19841 West Virginia 100	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19841 West Virginia 100	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19851 West Virginia 100	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19861 West Virginia 100	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19871 West Virginia 100	 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Sweat and Van Til, 1988 Michigan 96	 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Tate, 19881

: Canada 

1966 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

1972 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

1976 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

USGS Circulars, 

1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 By state: 

 Great Lakes States 100 32 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically similar 100 58 Clim Sim Yes CW Secondary 

1961, 1968, 1972, 1977, states 

1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 By basin or region: 

 Great Lakes 97 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 92 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

 New England 99 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

Ohio 94 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 98 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 94 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

USGS and Tennessee Tennessee 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Department of 

Environment and 

Conservation, 20031 

Water Resources Council By basin or region:

(U.S.), 1978	 New England 71 - Clim Sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 74 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 79 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Ohio 79 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 79 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 80 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 
56 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 31. Summary of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics area 

Used 

in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

other 

Data 

source 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2004 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2005 

Woldorf, 1959

Rhode Island, Connecticut 

Rhode Island 

Ohio 

1006 

1006 

97 

1 

1 

-

Clim sim 

Clim sim 

Great Lakes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Coefficient 

Coefficient 

CW 

Secondary 

Secondary 

Primary 

1

 Noted as “Agriculture.”
 

2

 Golf-course irrigation.
 

3

 Includes Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
 

4

 LaTour (1991) estimated irrigation consumptive use by using a consumptive-use coefficient based on lawn watering.
 

5

 Marcuello and Lallana (2003) said that the consumptive-use coefficients were “widely accepted.”
 

6

 “Consumptive water use for agriculture was assumed to be 100 percent.” 


Table 32. Summary statistics of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients from selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated–bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. If a reference had only one coefficient for the water-use 

category, it will be under the single coefficient column; and if the reference had multiple coefficients by regions or years, the minimum (min), median, maximum 

(max) statistics will be listed, as well as the 25th and 75th percentiles. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) 

and shown in the boxplots. References with more than one coefficient are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and 

reported numbers are as listed in reference. The geographic area is defined by lakes, states, provinces, regions and basins—it can be for the entire geographic 

area to a small study area within the geographic area.] 

Coefficient statistics Geographic Single Reference N 

area coefficient Min 25th Median 75th Max 

Great Lakes Great Lakes - 42 70 89 90 90 100 

Commission, 2005a 

Pebbles, 2003b Great Lakes 70 90 90 90 90 

By state or province:

 Illinois 90 1 

Indiana 90 1 

 Michigan 90 1 

Minnesota 90 1 

 New York 90 1 

Ohio 90 1 

Ontario 78 1 

 Pennsylvania 90 1 

Quebec 90 1 

 Wisconsin 70 1 

USGS circulars, 1983, 

1988, 1993, 1998 By state: 

 Great Lakes States 32 74 91 100 100 100 

Climatically similar states 58 37 90 100 100 100 

 By basin or region: 

1961, 1968, 1972, Great Lakes - 94 95 97 97 100 

1977, 1983, 1988, Mid-Atlantic - 68 86 92 97 100 

1993, 1998 New England - 63 93 99 100 100 

Ohio - 87 93 94 100 100 

 Tennessee - 70 91 98 100 100 

Upper Mississippi - 91 93 94 96 100 
 57 

For irrigation consumptive-use coefficients, the median 

and 25th and 75th percentiles for the Great Lakes Basin (90, 90 

and 96 percent) and climatically similar areas were similar (90, 100, and 100 percent) (table 9 and fig. 16). For the 

Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar area combined, 

75 percent of the irrigation consumptive-use coefficients were 

between 90 and 100 percent (25th percentile and maximum) 

(table 4 and fig. 16). 

Only a few references differentiated between crop and 

golf-course irrigation. The International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive Use Study Board (1981) used a 

consumptive-use coefficient of 75 percent for golf courses. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources 

(1983) stated that its 100 percent consumptive-use coefficient 

included golf courses. Often, 100 percent consumptive use is 

based on the assumption that best management practices are 

implemented. 

Figure 17 shows the consumptive-use coefficients for 

the Great Lakes States from two references. Solley and others (1998) reported irrigation consumptive-use coefficients 

ranging from 87 to 100 percent (appendix table 1–7); coefficients in the Great Lakes Commission (2005a) annual reports 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 

(1998–2002) ranged from 70 to 90 for the Great Lakes drainage basin in each state, but only Wisconsin reported a value as 

low as 70 percent (tables 31 and 32, appendix table 3–1). The 

medians of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients from Solley 

and others (1998) and the GLC annual reports (1998–2002) 

are similar (92 and 90 percent from fig. 17). 

Horticultural facilities are a special case of irrigation. The 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (2001) reported on the number of horticulture 

facilities that do or do not recycle water. Those that recycle 

were further separated into groups based on the percentage of 

water recycled (1 to 4 percent, 5 to 9 percent, 10 to 24 percent, 

or 25 percent or more). For the Great Lakes States, 78 to 

90 percent of the horticultural facilities reported no recycled 

water, and 91 to 97 percent reported that less than 9 percent of 

the withdrawal was recycled. Therefore, for most horticulture 

facilities, more than 91 percent of withdrawal was not recycled (U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural 

Statistics Service, 2001, and annotated bibliography). This is 

consistent with the irrigation consumptive-use coefficients 10th 

and 90th percentiles (80 and 100 percent). 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

Great Lakes Basin 

(N = 95) 

Climatically similar areas 

(N = 75) 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas 

combined (N = 170) 

Median = 90 

Median = 100 

Median = 91 

20 40 60 80 100 

IRRIGATION CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 

Figure 16. Distribution of irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas. (An explanation of boxplot components is given in figure 9.) 
58 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Figure 17. Irrigation consumptive-use coefficients from various sources for Great Lakes States. 
 59 

For worldwide data, Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003) 

found that agriculture consumptive-use coefficients ranged 

from 58 to 84 percent for the 1900 to 1995 assessments for 

all the continents (table 33). In the most recent assessment 

(1995), the agriculture coefficients ranged from 60 to 82 percent, with a median of 76 percent. 

Additional world, continent, and major-country agriculture coefficients are listed in table 35. The consumptive-use 

coefficients by European region (table 34) also were compiled 

for 1980, 1990, and 1995 (Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003). 

Although the range of coefficients for these regions was 

broad—from 47 to 92 percent—the median of 67 percent is 

comparable to the 68 percent for the entire continent of Europe 

Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 

in 1995 (Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003) and the 70 percent 

for Europe from Shiklomanov and Markova (1987). 

The 1995 agriculture consumptive-use coefficient 

for North America from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003) 

(table 33, 60 percent) is comparable to that of Solley and others (1998) (61 percent for the United States) but somewhat 

less than that of Environment Canada (2004) (71 percent for 

Canada). 

Overall, for the world references, the agricultural 

consumptive-use coefficients ranged from 65 to 78 percent 

(table 35). Coefficients may differ because of differences in 

crops, climate, irrigation methods, and irrigation practices. 

Table 33. Agricultural water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptive-use coefficients, by continent, for selected years from 

1900 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in cubic kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data and rounded to the nearest whole 

number.] 

Statistic 1900 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1995 1900–1995 

Europe1 

Total withdrawn 19.6 34.5 40.9 53.9 82.2 169 195 198 793.1 

Consumptive use 14.6 25.0 31.5 38.4 55.6 117 133 135 550.1 

Coefficient 74 72 77 71 68 69 68 68 69 

Asia2 

Total withdrawn 408 665 816 1,144 1,331 1,526 1,688 1,743 9,321 

Consumptive use 320 521 643 907 1,066 1,247 1,411 1,434 7,549 

Coefficient 78 78 79 79 80 82 84 82 81 

Africa3 

Total withdrawn 40.8 47.7 53.5 79.4 89.0 106 127 134 677.4 

Consumptive use 33.1 38.4 43.6 63.3 71.3 85.4 98.0 102 535.1 

Coefficient 81 81 81 80 80 81 77 76 79 

North America4 

Total withdrawn 39.3 - 149 198 244 286 274 286 1,476.3 

Consumptive use 24.6 - 86.3 114 143 171 166 173 877.9 

Coefficient 63 - 58 58 59 60 61 60 59 

South America5 

Total withdrawn 13.6 24.6 54.3 58.6 65.9 77.3 96.7 99.9 490.9 

Consumptive use 10.9 19.7 40.2 41.7 51.4 59.3 74.3 76.3 373.8 

Coefficient 80 80 74 71 78 77 77 76 76 

Australia and Oceania6 

Total withdrawn .46 3.50 5.20 9.40 12.5 13.0 14.7 15.5 74.26 

Consumptive use .35 2.80 4.10 7.50 9.90 10.2 11.6 12.2 58.65 

Coefficient 76 80 79 80 79 78 79 79 79 

Total 

Total withdrawn 521.76 775.3 1,118.9 1,543.3 1,824.6 2,177.3 2,395.4 2,476.4 12,832.96 

Consumptive use 403.55 606.9 848.7 1,171.9 1,397.2 1,689.9 1,893.9 1,932.5 9,944.55 

Coefficient 77 78 76 76 77 78 79 78 77 

1

 Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003), p. 85, from table 4.19. 

2

 Ibid., p. 135, from table 5.25. 

3

 Ibid., p. 192, from table 6.18. 

4

 Ibid., p. 258, from table 7.22. 

5

 Ibid., p. 316, from table 8.19. 

6

 Ibid., p. 346, From table 9.21. 
60 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 34. Agricultural water withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptiveuse coefficients for European regions for selected years from 1980 through 1995. 

[Modified from Shiklomanov and Rodda (2003), p. 88. Total withdrawn and consumptive use 

are in cubic kilometers per year and are as listed in reference; coefficient is the percentage of 

water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use 

data and rounded to the nearest whole number. ] 

Statistic 1980 1990 1995 1980–1995 

Northern Europe 

Total withdrawn 1.23 1.57 1.63 4.43 

Consumptive use .70 .97 1.01 2.68 

Coefficient 57 62 62 60 

Central Europe 

Total withdrawn 26.3 29.7 30.7 86.7 

Consumptive use 18.4 20.8 21.6 60.8 

Coefficient 70 70 70 70 

Southern Europe 

Total withdrawn 93.8 108.0 112.0 313.8 

Consumptive use 66.6 73.6 75.0 215.2 

Coefficient 71 68 67 69 

Northern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn .68 .72 .71 2.11 

Consumptive use .32 .65 .65 1.62 

Coefficient 47 90 92 77 

Southern slope of European territory of former Soviet Union 

Total withdrawn 47.7 54.9 53.7 156.3 

Consumptive use 30.9 36.5 36.1 103.5 

Coefficient 65 66 67 66 

Total 

Total withdrawn 169.71 194.89 198.74 563.34 

Consumptive use 116.92 132.52 134.36 383.8 

Coefficient 69 68 68 68 

Table 35. Agriculture consumptive-use coefficients for large countries, 

continents, and the world. 

[Coefficient is in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number.] 

Reference Geographic area Coefficient 

College of Exploration [n.d.] World 65 

Cosgrove, and Rijsberman, 2000 World 70 

Environment Canada, 2004 Canada 71 

European Environment Agency, 2005 Europe 80 

Marcuello and Lallana, 2003 Europe 80 

Postel and others, 1996 World 65 

Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003 World 78 

(1995 assessment only) 

By continent: 

Europe 68 

Asia 82 

Africa 76 

North America 60 

South America 76 

Australia and Oceania 79 

Solley and others, 19981 United States 61 

1

 It is also noted that 19 percent of the withdrawals was lost through conveyance. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 61 

Livestock 

Livestock water use is water used for stock watering, 

feedlots, dairy operations, fish farming, and other on-farm 

needs. Livestock includes sheep, goats, cattle, hogs, poultry, 

horses, rabbits, bees, pets, fur-bearing animals in captivity, and 

fish in captivity (except fish hatcheries). Livestock consumptive use occurs through processes such as stock watering and 

facility and animal cleaning. Many references use the terms 

“agricultural withdrawals” and “agriculture consumptive use,” 

which may describe both the irrigation and livestock withdrawals and consumptive use. Thus, the agriculture consumptive-use coefficients are presented in both the irrigation 

and livestock categories. Table 36 is a summary of livestock 

consumptive-use coefficients by reference, and table 37 is 

summary statistics of livestock consumptive-use coefficients 

for references with multiple coefficients. 

As with the other water-use categories, publications starting in 1980 were used in the summary statistics (tables 9, 36, 

37). As is evident in tables 36 and 37, livestock consumptiveuse coefficients range from 0 to 100 percent. The large range 

in livestock consumptive-use coefficients may be due to: 

•	 the mixture of livestock and animal specialties in each 

state, 

•	 a wide range of consumptive-use coefficients for fish 

farming by itself, (where a small coefficient represents 

a facility that returns most of its withdrawals and a 

large coefficient represents a facility that returns either 

a small amount or none of its withdrawals), 

•	 time, evaporation, and water quality (water that is used 

for or by livestock that is not discharged into a wastetreatment system is more likely to be evaporated before 

it reaches the water table and therefore not available 

for reuse, and degradation of water quality may limit 

the reuse of the water), or 

•	 differences in compilation methods. 

For example, between 1980 and 2005, the classification 

of certain aspects of the livestock water-use category changed 

in the USGS Circulars. In Solley and others (1983), livestock 

water use was listed under the category “Rural Freshwater 

Use.” In Solley and others (1988) and subsequent publications, 

livestock water use was its own category. Solley and others 

(1988) found that a large increase in livestock use was due to 

increases in fish farming; additionally states that previously 

reported fish farming under the industrial water-use category 

had begun reporting it as livestock water use. As can be seen 

in appendix tables 1–9 and 1–10, some states reported large 

livestock consumptive-use coefficients in 1980 and much 

lower coefficients in 1985, which may have been a result of 

adding fish-farming withdrawals to the livestock category. 
62 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 36. Summary of livestock consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Geographic 

area 

Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

other 

Data 

source 

College of Exploration [n.d.]1 World 65 - Other No CW Unknown 

Ellefson and others, 19872 Wisconsin 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Endreny, 2004 New York 88 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

European Environment Europe 80 - Other No Coefficient Primary 

Agency, 20051 

Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes 80 32 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

2005a 

Horn and others, 1994 Rhode Island 80 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Unknown 

Hutson, 1998 Tennessee Almost all - Clim sim No CW Primary 

International Great Lakes Great Lakes 100 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Diversions and 

Consumptive Use Study 

Board, 1981 

Loper and others, 1989 Pennsylvania 75 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania 74 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Marcuello and Lallana, Europe 80 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

20031,3 

Nimiroski and Wild, 20054 Rhode Island 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ohlsson, 19971 World 65 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 1988 United States 53.9 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pebbles, 2003b Great Lakes, by state:

 Illinois 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Indiana 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Michigan 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Minnesota 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 New York 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ohio 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Ontario 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Pennsylvania 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Quebec 80 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

 Wisconsin 90 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Pennsylvania Department Pennsylvania 75 - Great Lakes No Coefficient Primary 

of Environment 

Resources, 1975–83 

Postel, 19961 World 65 - Other No CW Secondary 

Postel and others, 19961 World 65 - Other No CW Primary 

Shiklamanov and Rodda, Europe 70 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

20031 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 100 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 100 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Snavely, 1988: Great Lakes 

1975 Study Board 100 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

1975 USGS 93 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

1980 Study Board 100 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1980 USGS 92 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1985 Study Board 100 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

1985 USGS 88 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Stevens and others, 19841 West Virginia 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 63 

Table 36. Summary of livestock consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the 

world. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Coefficient Geographic Single Median Statistics Used in Data Reference N or area coefficient coefficient area statistics source other 

Suder and Lessing, 19841 West Virginia 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19851 West Virginia 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19861 West Virginia 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Suder and Lessing, 19871 West Virginia 100 1 Clim sim Yes RW Primary 

Sweat and Van Til, 1988 Michigan 96 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Tate, 19881: Canada 

1966 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

1972 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

1976 Agriculture 72 - Other No CW Secondary 

Tate and Harris, 1999a1,5 Canadian portion of 78-805 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Great Lakes 

USGS Circulars, 1983, 

1988, 1993, 1998 By state: 

 Great Lakes States 89 32 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically similar 100 60 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

1961, 1968, 1972, 1977, states 

1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 By basin or region: 92 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 84 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 New England 94 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Ohio 98 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 96 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 

USGS and Tennessee Tennessee 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Department of 

Environment and 

Conservation, 20031 

Veeger and others, 2003 Rhode Island 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Water Resources Council By basin or region:

(U.S.), 1978 

 New England 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 100 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Ohio 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 100 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 20044 Rhode Island, Connecticut 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 20054 Rhode Island 100 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

1

 Noted as “Agriculture.”
 

2

 Noted as “non-irrigation agricultural uses.”
 

3

 Marcuello and Lallana (2003) said that the consumptive-use coefficients were “widely accepted.”
 

4

 “Consumptive water use for agriculture was assumed to be 100 percent.”
 

5

 Noted as a range; therefore, the average of the range (79) is used in the statistical analysis. 

64 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 37. Summary statistics of livestock consumptive-use coefficients for selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated-bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary 

statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and 

reported numbers are as listed in reference. The geographic area is defined by lakes, states, provinces, basins and regions—it can be for the entire geographic 

area to a small study area within the geographic area.] 

Reference Geographic area N 

Min 25th 

Coef stati

Median 

ficient stics 

75th Max 

USGS Circulars, 1983, 1988, 

1993, 1998 

By state: 

 Great Lakes States

 Climatically similar states 

By basin or region: 

 Great Lakes

32 

60 

-

67 

10 

86 

81 

84 

88 

89 

100 

92 

100 

100 

92 

100 

100 

95 

Mid-Atlantic - 60 80 84 86 91 

1960–95 New England 

Ohio 

-

-

68 

84 

89 

90 

100 

94 

100 

100 

100 

100 

 Tennessee - 47 94 98 100 100 

Upper Mississippi - 92 93 96 98 100 

Great Lakes Commission, 2005a Great Lakes Basin, 

by states and provinces 32 01 80 80 90 91 

1

 The range of coefficient may reflect differences in the definition of livestock use. Livestock use may be limited to the watering of livestock or may include 

the maintenance operations associated with raising livestock. Including aquaculture changes the definition and activity and results in a different livestock consumptive-use coefficient. The livestock low coefficient minimum (0) for the Great Lakes Commission (2005a) is from Minnesota in 1998. Minnesota reported 

0.25 Mgal/d total withdrawn in 1998 and 0.0 Mgal/d consumptive use. The next lowest consumptive-use coefficient for this reference is 66 percent. 

Although coefficients for 1985 (Solley and others, 1988) 

were included in the statistical analysis, it should be noted that 

many of the outliers are for this year. To better see the effect 

of these outliers, two statistics summaries are included in this 

report (table 38). Table 38 has statistics for irrigation with and 

without irrigation coefficients from Solley and others (1988). 

The 10th and 90th percentiles were computed to highlight the 

range of consumptive-use coefficients. Most of the statistics in 

table 38 were similar except the minimum for the climatically 

similar areas, the minimum for all references, and the 10th percentile for the climatically similar areas. The coefficients from 

Solley and others (1988) have the six smallest coefficients 

for the 1980 to 2005 period of all the references (Appendix 

tables 1–9 and 1–10). Table 38 also shows the statistics if the 

“agriculture” coefficients are not used. This exclusion varied a 

few numbers within only a 2-percent range. 

In Solley and others (1993), the livestock category 

definition changed again when livestock was divided into 

subcategories: livestock and animal specialties. The animal 

specialties subcategory is the water used for fish farming and 

fish in captivity, with the exception of fish hatcheries. Animal 

specialties also includes water used for fur-bearing animals in 

captivity such as horses, rabbits, and pets. Animal-specialties 

water use (Solley and others, 1993, 1998) is in the back of this 

report in Appendix tables 1–11 and 1–12. 

Although a wide range of livestock consumptive-use 

coefficients has been reported, 75 percent of all the livestock 

consumptive-use coefficients are between 80 and 100 percent 

(25th percentile and maximum) (fig. 18). Most of the livestock 

consumptive-use coefficients are based on assumptions and 

definitions, not studies for the most part. The major exception 

to this would be aquaculture, where water may either be continuously run through the hatchery or fish farm (low consumptive use coefficient) or be allowed to remain in a pond long 

enough for evaporation to become a significant factor (higher 

consumptive-use coefficient). The few world coefficients were 

noted on “agricultural” and not livestock. These coefficients 

tended to be lower than the livestock coefficients for the Great 

Lakes Basin. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 65 

Table 38. Livestock consumptive-use coefficient statistics for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, 

and all references including and excluding Solley and others (1998) and excluding agriculture coefficients. 

[Great Lakes Basin refers to basins and states in the Great Lakes Basin. Climatically similar areas are basins, states, and countries 

that are climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. All references are the combined references of the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas. References used in the statistical analysis are only from publications printed after 1980 and do not include 

world coefficients, coefficients for all of Canada, or coefficients for all of the United States because they include areas that are not 

climatically similar to the Great Lakes. The minimum, median, maximum, 25th percentile, and the 75th percentile are in percent. N is 

the number of coefficients used in the statistical analysis.] 

Statistics 

Type of reference Min 10th 25th Median 75th 90th Max N 

Including coefficients in Solley and others (1998) 

Great Lakes Basin 01 76 80 83 90 100 100 85 

Climatically similar areas 10 61 86 100 100 100 100 73 

All references 01 75 80 90 100 100 100 158 

Excluding coefficients in Solley and others (1998) 

Great Lakes Basin 01 75 80 80 90 100 100 77 

Climatically similar areas 50 82 88 100 100 100 100 57 

All references 01 78 80 90 100 100 100 134 

Excluding agriculture coefficients 

Great Lakes Basin 01 76 80 85 90 100 100 85 

Climatically similar areas 10 56 85 100 100 100 100 72 

All references 01 75 80 89 100 100 100 157 

1

 The livestock low coefficient minimum (0) for the Great Lakes Commission (2005a) is from Minnesota in 1998. Minnesota 

reported 0.25 Mgal/d total withdrawn in 1998 and 0.0 Mgal/d consumptive use. The next lowest consumptive-use coefficient for this 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

reference is 66 percent. 

Great Lakes Basin 

(N = 85)

 Climatically similar areas

 (N = 73) 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas 

combined (N = 158) 

Median = 100 

Median = 83 

Median = 90 

0 20 40 60 80 100 

Figure 18. Livestock 

consumptive-use 

coefficients for the 

Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar 

areas. (An explanation of 

boxplot components is 

given in figure 9.) 

LIVESTOCK CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 
66 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Commercial 

Commercial water use is water used in restaurants, 

motels, hotels, office buildings, military and nonmilitary 

institutions, snow making, and other commercial facilities; 

also, Solley and others (1993 and 1998) included water for 

offstream fish hatcheries. Processes that contribute to consumptive use of commercial water use would be lawn and 

landscape watering, sidewalk and car washing, snow making, 

evaporation from offstream fish hatcheries, and a lesser extent 

cooking, cleaning, showering, and clothes washing. Table 39 

is a compilation of commercial consumptive-use coefficients 

listed by references, and table 40 lists summary statistics for 

references with multiple consumptive-use coefficients. 

No world references were located for the commercial category, and most of the coefficients were from USGS reports. 

All the references were used for the summary statistics; the 

earliest coefficient was from 1975. Most of the commercial 

consumptive-use coefficients were from 1980 to 2005. 

The commercial consumptive-use coefficients were 

similar between the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas (fig. 19). Fifty percent of all coefficients from the references were between 8 and 13 percent (table 9 and fig. 19). 

Both the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas had 

the same commercial consumptive-use coefficient median 

(10 percent; table 9 and fig. 19). 

Schools, office buildings, and hospitals are commercial water- and consumptive-use facilities. 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 67 

Table 39. Summary of commercial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas. 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Used Coefficient Geographic Single Median Statistics	 Data Reference	 N in or area coefficient coefficient area	 source statistics other 

Barlow, 2003 Rhode Island, Massachusetts 101	 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Endreny, 2005 New York 10 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Horn and others, 1994 Rhode Island 8 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Horn, 2000 Massachusetts 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Hutson, 1998 Tennessee 10 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

LaTour, 1991 Illinois 9.62 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania 5 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Nawyn, 1997 New Jersey 4 1 Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Nimiroski and Wild, 2005 Rhode Island 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, 1988 United States 19.53 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 104 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Primary 

Department of 


Environmental 


Resources, 1975–83
 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 4 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 3 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

USGS Circulars, 1988, By states: 

1993, 1998	 Great Lakes States 10 24 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically similar states 10 45 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

By basin or region: 

 Great Lakes 9 - Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 9 - Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 New England 12 - Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio 10 - Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 10 - Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 10 - Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

USGS and Tennessee Tennessee 115 - Clim sim No Coefficient Primary 

Department of 

Environment and 

Conservation, 2003 

Veeger and others, 2003 Rhode Island 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Water Resources Council By basin or region:

(U.S.), 1978 New England 13 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 14 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 11 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio 13 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 12 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 12 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2004 Rhode Island and 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Connecticut 

Wild and Nimiroski, 2005 Rhode Island 10 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

1

 The commercial consumptive-use coefficient is from “New England traditional rates.”
 

2

 Although LaTour (1991) reported a large range of consumptive-use coefficients for commercial, the “minimum consumptive-use ratio” 9.6 percent was used 


to estimate consumptive use when data were not available. 

3

 Commercial and domestic are grouped together in this coefficient. 

4 Noted as 10 percent for “other self-supplied institutions.” 

5

 Not used because this coefficient is from an octopus diagram where commercial, industrial, and mining consumptive use are combined. 
68 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 40. Summary statistics of commercial consumptive-use coefficients for selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary 

statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, 

and reported numbers are as listed in reference. The geographic area is defined by lakes, states, provinces, countries, continents, and the world—it can be for the 

entire geographic area to a small study area within the geographic area.] 

Reference Geographic N 

Coefficient statistics 

area Min 25th Median 75th Max 

USGS Circulars, 1988, 1993, 

19981 By states: 

 Great Lakes States 24 4 8 10 15 26 

Climatically similar states 45 4 7 10 13 33 

By basin or region: 

 Great Lakes - 9 9 9 10 11 

Mid-Atlantic - 8 8 9 10 12 

 New England - 11 12 12 18 23 

Ohio - 8 9 10 12 15 

 Tennessee - 9 10 10 11 12 

Upper Mississippi - 10 10 10 11 12 

1

 Solley and others (1988, 1993, 1998). 

Great Lakes Basin
 

(N = 29)
 

Median = 10 

Climatically similar areas
 

(N = 61)
 

Median = 10 

Great Lakes Basin and 


climatically similar areas
 

combined (N = 90)
 

0 

COMMERCIAL CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 

Figure 19. Commercial consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar 

areas. (An explanation of boxplot components is given in figure 9.) GEOGRAPHIC AREA 

Median = 10 

10 20 30 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 69 

Mining 

Mining water use and consumptive use is the water 

withdrawn and the portion of water consumed during the 

extraction of minerals. Minerals may be metals or nonmetals, 

solid or liquid. Extraction of minerals includes the following 

activities: quarrying, milling (crushing, washing, screening, 

and flotation of mined materials), and other operations associated with mining activities (Hutson and others, 2004a). 

Mining withdrawals, consumptive use, and consumptiveuse coefficients in response vary to: 

•	 the type of mining, 

•	 the mining environment, 

•	 the processes at the mining facility, and 

•	 the methods used to estimate withdrawals and consumptive use. 

In many documents, the authors noted that mining 

withdrawals were difficult to quantify. Solley and others 

(1998) stated that, with the exception of some washing and 

milling, water at mining sites tends to be an impediment to 

or a by-product of the extraction process. For many references, consumptive-use estimates were computed by use of 

consumptive-use coefficients specific to the type of mining. 

The consumptive-use coefficients were highly variable by type 

of mining. For example, Quan (1988) published a wide range 

of mining consumptive-use coefficients. For metal mining, 

the consumptive-use coefficients ranged from 1 (for lead) to 

77 percent (for copper) and nonmetal mining ranged from 0 

(for magnesium) to 100 percent (for diatomite) (Quan, 1988). 

A few authors found that the water discharged was 

greater than the water withdrawn, for example the U.S. Bureau 

of the Census (1985). The reason for this discrepancy may be 

because of mine dewatering. During the dewatering process, 

excess water is drained from the mine and is a by-product of 

the extraction process. The amount of water discharged in 

the mining operation includes the return flow plus the excess 

water drained from the mine. A representative consumptiveuse coefficient could not be computed from such references. 

The references by Quan (1988), Kaufman and Nadler 

(1966), and the Water Resources Council 1978) contain 

detailed mining water use data. More information on these 

sites is in the annotated bibliography section. 

Table 41 is a compilation of mining consumptive-use 

coefficients listed by reference and illustrates the range in the 

mining consumptive-use coefficients. Table 42 is the statistical summary for selected references that had multiple mining 

consumptive-use coefficients. As is evident in figure 20, there 

are many outliers in the boxplot. 
 

 

70 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 41. Summary of mining consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and Canada from 

1975 through 2004. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Reference Geographic area Single 

coefficient 

Median 

coefficient N Statistics area 

Used in 

statistics 

Coefficient 

or 

other 

Data 

source 

Endreny, 2005 New York 27 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Hutson, 1998 Tennessee 11 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

International Great Canada 11 - Other No CW Secondary 

Lakes Diversions and 

Consumptive Use 

Study Board, 19811 

Kaufman and Nadler, United States 16 - Other No CW Primary 

1966 

Great Lakes States 6 - Other No CW Primary 

By state:

 Illinois 5 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

Indiana 5 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

 Michigan 3 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

Minnesota 4 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

 New York 10 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

Ohio 12 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

 Pennsylvania 9 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

 Wisconsin 3 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

By basin or region:

 Chesapeake Bay 7 - Clim Sim No CW Primary 

Cumberland 11 - Clim Sim No CW Primary 

 Delaware and Hudson 6 - Clim Sim No CW Primary 

 Great Lakes2 5 - Great Lakes No CW Primary 

Upper Mississippi 7 - Clim sim No CW Primary 

 New England 7 - Clim sim No CW Primary 

Ohio 12 - Clim sim No CW Primary 

 Tennessee 32 - Clim sim No CW Primary 

Loper and others, 1989 Pennsylvania 14 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ludlow and Gast, 2000 Pennsylvania 8 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Nawyn, 1997 New Jersey 8 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Paulson and others, United States 16 - Other No Coefficient Secondary 

1988 

Pebbles, 2003b By state:

 Ohio (salt mining)3 90 - Great Lakes No Coeffiicent Secondary 

 Wisconsin 10 1 Great Lakes Yes Coefficient Secondary 

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 7 19 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Department of 

Environmental 

Resources, 1975–83 

Quan, 1988 By states:

 Great Lakes States 21 8 Great Lakes Yes CW Primary 

Climatically similar states 26 16 Clim Sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Lee, 1988 Kentucky 3 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Sholar and Wood, 1995 Kentucky 3 1 Clim sim Yes CW Primary 

Tate, 1988:

 1966 Manufacturing 24 Canada - Other No CW Secondary 

 1972 Manufacturing 24 - Other No CW Secondary 

 1976 Manufacturing 16 - Other No CW Secondary 
Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Water-Use Category 71 

Table 41. Summary of mining consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and Canada from 

1975 through 2004. —Continued 

[See fig. 7 and table 10 for explanation of column headings. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, and reported numbers are as listed in 

reference.] 

Coefficient Single Median Statistics Used in Data Reference Geographic area N or coefficient coefficient area statistics source other 

USGS Circulars, 1988, 

1993, 1998 By states:

 Great Lakes States 14 23 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Climatically similar states 11 42 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

By basin or region:

 Great Lakes 24 - Great Lakes No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 12 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 New England 12 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Ohio 22 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 12 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 21 - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

USGS and Tennessee 11 1 Clim sim Yes Coefficient Primary 

Tennessee 

Department of 

Environment and 

Conservation, 2003 

van der Leeden, 1975: Belgium 

Coal mines 7 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Quarries 5 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Water Resources By basin or region: 

Council (U.S.), 1978 Minerals

 New England 12 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 15 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 22 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio 18 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 14 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 14 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Nonmetals

 New England 13 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 13 1 Clim sim Yes CW Seondary 

 Great Lakes 14 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio 11 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 14 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 13 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Fuels

 New England - - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 57 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 57 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio 31 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 12 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 20 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Metals

 New England - - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

Mid-Atlantic 14 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

 Great Lakes 37 1 Great Lakes Yes CW Secondary 

Ohio - - Clim sim No CW Secondary 

 Tennessee 12 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

Upper Mississippi 16 1 Clim sim Yes CW Secondary 

1 Noted as “Mines & Mineral Fuels.” 


2 Great Lakes includes Eastern Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River and Western Great Lakes.
 

3 This is only for salt mining and was not used in the statistical analysis.
 

4

 This is noted as being the consumptive-use coefficient for industrial-mining. 

72 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 42. Summary statistics for mining consumptive-use coefficients from selected references. 

[Reference refers to the annotated bibliography references. Consumptive-use coefficients are in percent. N is the number of coefficients used in the summary 

statistics tables (tables 9 and 43) and shown in the boxplots. References are listed in the appendix. All computed numbers are rounded to the whole number, 

and reported numbers are as listed in reference. The geographic area is defined by lakes, states, provinces, countries, continents, and the world—it can be for the 

entire geographic area to a small study area within the geographic area.] 

Coefficient statistics 

Reference Geographic area N 

Min 25th Median 75th Max 

Pennsylvania Department of Pennsylvania 19 5 6 7 8 17.6 

Environmental Resources, 

1975–83 

Quan, 1988 By states:

 Great Lakes States 8 14 20 21 28 34 

Climatically similar states 16 11 23 26 33 86 

USGS Circulars, 1988, 1993, 1998 

By states:

 Great Lakes States 23 0 6 14 36 58 

Climatically similar states 42 0 8 11 19 70 

By basin or region:

 Great Lakes - 9 16 24 25 26 

Mid-Atlantic - 11 12 12 16 19 

 New England - 11 12 12 14 16 

Ohio - 16 19 22 37 52 

 Tennessee - 10 11 12 12 13 

Upper Mississippi - 17 19 21 28 36 

Great Lakes Basin
 

(N = 58)
 

Median = 14 

Climatically similar areas
 

(N = 83)
 

Median = 10
 

Great Lakes Basin and
 

climatically similar areas
 

combined (N = 141)
 

MINING CONSUMPTIVE-USE COEFFICIENTS, IN PERCENT 

Figure 20. Distribution of mining consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 

similar areas. (An explanation of boxplot components is given in figure 9.) 

Median = 13 

0 20 40 60 80 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 
 

 

73 

Comparison of Consumptive-Use 

Coefficients by Area 

This section of the report compares the Great Lakes 

Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world consumptiveuse coefficients for domestic and public supply, industrial, 

irrigation and livestock water-use categories; it also compares 

consumptive-use coefficients in the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas for the thermoelectric power, commercial, and mining water-use categories. The dataset for 

the world statistics is small—only four numbers were found 

among all the references examined for this study. 

The range of the world domestic and public-supply 

consumptive-use coefficients (14 to 19) was similar to the 25th 

and 75th percentiles for the Great Lakes Basin (10, 15) and climatically similar references (10, 20) (table 43). The domestic 

and public-supply consumptive-use coefficient medians were 

comparable: world, 16 percent; the Great Lakes Basin, 12 percent; and climatically similar areas, 15 percent. 

The world industrial consumptive-use coefficients ranged 

from 9 to 11 percent, comparable to the medians for the 

Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas (10 percent) 

(table 43). The medians, 25th percentiles, and 75th percentiles 

of the Great Lakes Basin and the climatically similar areas 

also were similar. 

Both the irrigation and livestock consumptive-use coefficients were compared to the world agriculture consumptiveuse coefficients. Typically, irrigation withdrawals and consumptive use for agriculture are much larger than livestock 

withdrawals and consumptive use. Hutson and others (2004a) 

estimated that irrigation made up 34 percent of the total water 

withdrawn in the United States in 2000, whereas that for 

livestock was less than 1 percent. These proportions suggest 

that world consumptive-use coefficients for agriculture are 

more representative of irrigation than livestock water use even 

though both irrigation and livestock coefficients were compared. 

The world agriculture consumptive-use coefficients 

(median 68 percent) are less than those for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar area combined for both irrigation (median 91 percent) and livestock (median 90 percent). 

These differences are reasonable because agricultural consumptive use is dependent on climate, crop type, and livestock 

mix. For example, the irrigation consumptive-use coefficients 

from Solley and others (1998) ranged from 33 percent in the 

Comparison of Consumptive-Use Coefficients by Area 

Upper Colorado River Basin to 100 percent in the Tennessee 

River Basin, with an overall national average of 61 percent. 

It should also be noted that 19 percent of the withdrawals for 

irrigation in the United States in 1995 were lost during conveyance (Solley and others, 1998). 

World consumptive-use coefficients for thermoelectric 

power were not available. The median, 25th percentile, and 

75th percentile for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 

similar areas were small, even though the maximum coefficients were high. Thermoelectric power facilities with small 

consumptive-use coefficients (once-through cooling) typically 

use much larger amounts of water but consume very little. The 

median (2 percent) for the Great Lakes Basin and climatically 

similar areas compared to the following thermoelectric-power 

consumptive-use coefficients: 

•	 5 percent of thermoelectric power withdrawals in 

Europe (European Environment Agency, 2005; Marcuello and Lallana, 2003) 

•	 2.5 percent of the freshwater withdrawn for thermoelectric power in the entire United States (Solley and 

others, 1998), 

•	 1.8 percent for thermoelectric power withdrawals in all 

of Canada (Environment Canada, 2004). 

World commercial consumptive-use coefficients were 

not available, perhaps because commercial withdrawals are 

accounted for in the industrial or municipal coefficients. All 

the references were for the United States. The Great Lakes 

Basin and the climatically similar areas had the same consumptive-use coefficient median (10 percent), the same 25th 

percentile (8 percent), and similar 75th percentiles (15 and 13 

percent). For the entire United States in 1995, the commercial 

consumptive-use was 14 percent of the commercial withdrawals (Solley and others, 1998). 

No world references were found for mining consumptiveuse coefficients. As previously mentioned, consumptive-use 

coefficients for mining vary greatly depending on the type of 

mining, the mining environment, the processes at the mining 

facility, and methods used to estimate withdrawals and consumptive use. The range between the 25th and 75th percentile 

was fairly large, as was the minimum and maximum for both 

the Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas (table 43). 

In 1995, the United States mining consumptive-use coefficient 

was 27 percent compared to 9 percent for the Great Lakes 

Basin (Solley and others, 1998). 
74 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 43. Consumptive-use coefficient statistics for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and the world, by water-use 

category. 

[Great Lakes Basin refers to basins, parts of states, and states in the Great Lakes Basin. Climatically similar areas are basins and states with areas 

climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. Great Lakes and climatically similar references are the combination of references from these two areas. 

References are only from publications after either 1975 (mining and commercial), 1980 (industrial, irrigation, thermoelectric, and livestock), or 1985 

(domestic and public supply) and do not include all of Canada coefficients, all of the United States coefficients, or continent coefficients because 

these have areas that are not climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. Minimum (min), median, maximum (max), 25th percentile, and 75th percentile 

are in percent and rounded to the nearest whole number. N is the number of references used in the statistical analysis.] 

Statistics 

Geographic Area 

Min 25th Median 75th Max N 

Domestic and Public Supply 

Great Lakes Basin 0 10 12 15 74 161 

Climatically similar areas 6 10 15 20 70 68 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 0 10 13 15 74 229 

World 14 16 16 18 19 4 

Industrial 

Great Lakes Basin 0 7 10 14 35 122 

Climatically similar areas 0 4 10 13 34 97 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 0 6 10 13 35 219 

World 9 10 10 11 11 4 

Thermoelectric 

Great Lakes Basin 0 1 2 2 21 141 

Climatically similar areas 0 0 2 4 75 75 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 0 1 2 3 75 216 

Irrigation 

Great Lakes Basin 70 90 90 96 100 95 

Climatically similar areas 37 90 100 100 100 75 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 37 90 91 100 100 170 

World 65 65 68 72 78 4 

Livestock 

Great Lakes Basin 01 80 83 90 100 85 

Climatically similar areas 102 86 100 100 100 73 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 01,2 80 90 100 100 158 

World (Agriculture) 65 65 68 72 78 4 

Commercial 

Great Lakes Basin 4 8 10 15 26 29 

Climatically similar areas 3 8 10 13 33 61 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 3 8 10 13 33 90 

Mining 

Great Lakes Basin 0 7 10 25 58 58 

Climatically similar areas 0 10 14 20 86 83 

Great Lakes and climatically similar areas combined 0 8 13 22 86 141 

1

 The livestock low coefficient minimum (0 percent) is from Great Lakes Commission (2005a), where Minnesota reported 0.25 Mgal/d total withdrawn in 

1998 and 0.0 Mgal/d consumptive use. The next lowest coefficient for the Great Lakes basin was 66 percent. 

2 The livestock low minimum coefficients are from Solley and others (1988) and may result from adding animal specialties (including fish farming) into the 

livestock water-use category. In previous and subsequent USGS reports, fish farming was in different water-use categories. 
 75 

Summary and Conclusions 

State agencies with jurisdiction within the Great Lakes 

Basin have indicated that refinement of consumptive-use data 

and coefficients for all water-use categories were of greatest 

interest and value to water-supply managers. As part of the 

USGS National Assessment of Water Availability and Use 

Program, consumptive-use coefficients were compiled and 

an annotated bibliography was prepared for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas. The consumptive-use 

coefficients are statistically summarized by water-use category 

and compared, where possible to coefficients from other parts 

of the world. This assembly of data and coefficients in this 

report addressed the following objectives: 

•	 summarizing the range of coefficients by water-use 

categories listed in most bibliographic references 

•	 comparing coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar area, to each other and to world 

coefficients 

•	 summarizing methods and data used in previous studies 

to calculate consumptive use 

•	 compiling available consumptive-use data and consumptive-use coefficients 

The domestic and public-supply water-use categories 

were combined because inconsistent terminology among 

references made it unclear, in some cases, whether uses other 

than strictly domestic received deliveries from a public supply. Domestic and public-supply consumptive-use coefficient 

statistics (median and 25th and 75th percentile) were within 

6 percent for the aggregated worldwide data, the Great Lakes 

Basin, and climatically similar areas. 

Although industrial consumptive-use coefficients may 

differ substantially by industry and facility, the statistics 

for the Great Lakes Basin, climatically similar areas, and 

the world were similar: the 25th percentile ranged from 4 to 

10 percent, the median was 10 percent for all three areas, and 

the 75th percentile ranged from 11 to 14 percent. Additionally, 

median consumptive-use coefficients for six industry groups 

compared well with the statistics for the general industrial 

coefficients. Industries that departed substantially from the 

norm are the beverage and bottled-water industries, which had 

higher consumptive-use coefficients than most other industrial 

categories. More data on consumptive use and consumptiveuse coefficients for the ethanol and transportation equipment 

industries are needed for water managers to better understand 

and plan for the water and consumptive use for these industries. 

Summary and Conclusions 

The thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficients 

differ by the type of cooling at each facility. Overall, the thermoelectric power consumptive-use coefficient median between 

1980 and 2005 was 2 percent for the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas. More than half of the thermoelectric 

coefficients were in the 0- to 5-percent range. 

Irrigation consumptive-use coefficients for 1980 to 2005 

for the Great Lakes and climatically similar areas references 

were similar: both had a 25th percentile of 90 percent and 

75th percentile of 100 percent; the medians ranged from 91 to 

100 percent. Irrigation coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin 

and climatically similar areas were typically higher than those 

for entire continents, some countries (Canada and United 

States), and the world as a whole. Differences may be due to 

climate, crop type, irrigation methods, and various ways of 

defining the category. 

Three-fourths of the references on livestock reported 

consumptive-use coefficients between 80 and 100 percent. 

Median coefficients for livestock in the Great Lakes Basin and 

climatically similar areas were within 13 percent. 

The commercial consumptive-use coefficients between 

1975 and 2005 were almost identical for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas: 25th percentiles of 8 percent, medians of 10 percent, and 75th percentiles of 15 and 

13 percent. More than half of the commercial consumptive-use 

coefficients were between 8 and 15 percent. 

The range of mining consumptive-use coefficients was 

wide (0 to 86 percent). Although a little over half of the 

consumptive-use coefficients were between 7 to 25 percent, 

there was a large difference among mining types. 

Acknowledgments 

The authors appreciate the assistance of Margery Tibbetts of 

the USGS for her persistence in locating references for the 

report, organizing references, and checking numbers. The 

authors acknowledge Leah N. Hout (formerly of the USGS, 

now with the Defense Supply Center, Columbus Public Affairs 

Office) and Michael Eberle of the USGS, who wrote some 

of the annotations for the bibliography and reviewed others’ 

annotations. Finally, the authors want to thank Laura Simonson, Daniel Button, and Michael Eberle of the USGS for assistance with illustrations for this publication. 
76 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

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statistics/ 
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Quan, C.K., 1988, Water use in the domestic nonfuel minerals 

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U.K., Cambridge University Press [for] UNESCO, 435 p. 

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and Burt, J.R., eds., Proceedings of the Symposium on 

Water-Use Data for Water Resources Management, Tucson, 

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Sholar, C.J. and Lee, V.D., 1988, Water use in Kentucky, 1985: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 88–4043, 53 p. 

Sholar, C.J., and Wood, P.A., 1991, Evaluation of the drought 

susceptibility of water supplies used in the Kentucky River 

Basin in 1988: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 91–4105, 34 p. 

Sholar, C.J., and Wood, P.A., 1995, Water use in Kentucky, 

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Snavely, D.S., 1986, Water-use data-collection programs and 

regional data base of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River 

Basin states and provinces: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 86–546, 204 p. 

Snavely, D.S., 1987, Great Lakes water-use data base—Planning for the 21st century: U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook, 

Fiscal Year 1987, p. 93–98. 

Snavely, D.S., 1988, Estimation, analysis, sources, and verification of consumptive water use data in the Great LakesSt. Lawrence River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 88–4146, 28 p. 

Solley, W.B., Chase, E.B., and Mann, W.B., 1983—See listing 

under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Solley, W.B., Merk, C.F., and Pierce, R.R., 1988—See listing 

under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

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References Cited 

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Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1984, Water use in West 

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Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1985, Water use in West 

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Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1987, Water use in West 

Virginia in 1985: West Virginia Geological and Economic 

Survey Circular C–41, 96 p. 

Sweat, M.J., and Van Til, R.L., 1988, Water use and methods 

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90–156, 23 p. 
 

 

80 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

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* * * * * 

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 81 

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302 p. 

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Island and southeastern Connecticut, 1995–99: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5020, 

72 p. 

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use and availability in the South Coastal Drainage Basin, 

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Ohio Water Plan Inventory Report 7, 57 p. 
82 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

This page is intentionally blank. 
 

C 

Glossary
 

The terms in this glossary were compiled from numerous sources. Some definitions have been modified specifically 

in reference to this report and are not the only valid ones for 

those terms. 

25th percentile The value in a rank of values below which 

one-fourth (25 percent) of the values fall. The 25th and 

75th percentile together bracket half of the values. 

75th percentile The value in a rank of values below which 

three-fourths (75 percent) of the values fall. The 25th and 

75th percentile together bracket half of the values. 

A 

B 

climatically similar areas (clim sim) Basins, states, or countries that have climates similar to the Great Lakes Basin. 

commercial water use Water for motels, hotels, restaurants, 

office buildings, other commercial facilities, military and 

nonmilitary institutions—and in USGS water-use circulars for 

1990 and 1995, water for offstream fish hatcheries. 

community water system A public water system that delivers water for human consumption through pipes and other 

constructed conveyances if such a system regularly serves at 

least 25 year-round residents or has at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents. Community water systems 

might serve towns, cities, military bases, apartment complexes, or mobile home parks (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1999). 

consumptive use The part of water withdrawn [for a particular use] that is evaporated, transpired, incorporated into products or crops, consumed by humans or livestock, or otherwise 

removed from the immediate water environment. 

consumptive-use coefficient Percentage of water removed 

from the immediate environment by evaporation, transpiration, incorporation into products or crops, or consumption by 

humans or livestock. 

conveyance loss Water that is lost in transit from a pipe, 

canal, conduit, or ditch by leakage or evaporation. Generally, 

the water is not available for further use; however, leakage 

from an irrigation ditch, for example, may percolate to a 

ground-water source and be available for further use. 

D 

domestic water use Water used for all such indoor household purposes as drinking, food preparation, bathing, washing 

clothes and dishes, flushing toilets, and such outdoor purposes 

as watering lawns and gardens. 

Glossary 83 

E 

evaporation The change of water from a liquid form into a 

vapor state such as water evaporating from pools, large bodies 

of water, and runoff from car-washing or irrigation systems; 

also includes evaporation through dehumidifiers, heating and 

cooling processes in industrial facilities and thermoelectric 

plants. 

evapotranspiration A collective term used to include water 

discharged to the atmosphere as a result of plant transpiration 

and evaporation from soil and surface-water bodies. 

F 

G 

Great Lakes Basin In this report, the eight United States and 

two Canadian provinces that have all or part of their states or 

provinces in the Great Lakes Basin. It also includes any areas 

in the eight states and two provinces that may or may not be in 

the Great Lakes Basin. 

Great Lakes Basin and climatically similar areas The combination of bibliographic references for the Great Lakes Basin 

and climatically similar areas. 

H 

I
 

industrial water use Water used for fabrication, processing, 


washing, and cooling, and includes such industries as chemical 


and allied products, food, mining, paper and allied products, 


petroleum refining, and steel.
 

irrigation water use Water that is applied by an irrigation 


system to assist in the growing of crops and pastures or to 


maintain vegetative growth in recreational lands such as parks 


and golf courses. 


J 

K 

L 

M 

maximum The largest number in a group of values. 


median The point in a rank of values above and below which 


50 percent of the values fall. 


minimum The lowest number in a group of values. 


mining water use Water used for the extraction of naturally 


occurring minerals including solids, such as coal, sand, gravel, 


and other ores; liquids, such as crude petroleum; and gases, 


such as natural gas. Also includes uses associated with quarrying, milling, and other preparations customarily done at the 


mine site or as part of a mining activity. 

84 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

N 

O 

once-through thermoelectric power facility A facility that 

uses water only one time in the condenser-and reactor-cooling 

process before returning the water to a surface-water source. 

Although once-through cooling requires substantial water 

withdrawals, the consumption is low—usually less than 3 percent (Solley and others, 1998). 

other than once-through thermoelectric power facility A 

facility that uses cooling towers or cooling ponds to recycle 

water repeatedly for condenser and reactor cooling. This type 

of facility typically uses less water than a once-through facility 

but has a higher percentage of consumptive use (evaporation), 

typically greater than 60 percent (Solley and others, 1998). 

P 

primary source A reference where the authors did most of 

the compilation, analysis, and computation of data. Often the 

primary source publication was completed in cooperation with 

multiple agencies, but the publication was the main product 

for the multiple agency effort. 

product incorporation Inclusion of water as a component of 

industrial, food, and beverage products. 

Q 

R 

return flow Water that reaches a ground-water or surfacewater source after release from the point of use and thus 

becomes available for further use. 

S 

secondary source A reference that uses data or consumptive-use coefficients from another publication or person or 

organization to discuss or estimate consumptive use for the 

current report. 

Standard industrial classification (SIC) codes Four-digit 

codes established by the Office of Management and Budget, 

published in 1987, and used in the classification of establishments by type of activity in which they are engaged. 

T 

thermoelectric-power water use Water used in the process 

of generating electricity with steam-driven turbine generators. 

transfer Conveyance of water that occurs during distribution 

or collection of water and sewage. 

transpiration The process in which water is absorbed by 

plants, usually from the roots and evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surface. Transpiration occurs in all types 

of plants including crops, grass (lawns, golf courses), landscaping plants, and nursery plants. 

U 

unaccounted-for use Water that is either lost through conveyance losses or supplied from a public supplier and used for 

such purposes as firefighting, street washing, flushing of water 

lines, and maintaining municipal parks and swimming pools 

(public uses). Generally, public-use water is not billed by the 

public supplier. 

unknown source A reference that does not indicate the 

publication, person, or organization where the coefficient or 

data came from. 

V 

W
 

water balance The mathematical equation of the inflows, 


outflows, and change in storage of water in a given area 


(Inflows = Outflows + Change in Storage).
 

water-use category The type of specific use (facility or 


consumer) for which water is withdrawn (for example, public 


supply, irrigation, industrial, thermoelectric power).
 

withdrawal Removal of water from either a surface-water or 


ground-water source.
 

world Represents single coefficients that have world-wide 


applicability for particualr water-use categories in this report.
 

X 

Y 

Z 
 85 

Annotated Bibliography 

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and 

Engineering, 1999, Water and the Australian economy: 

Victoria, Australia, 127 p. 

This document contains water-use information on 

Australia, but the only data on consumptive use are in a table 

listing gross water consumed per hectare of irrigated area for 

1983–84, by region. Australia is divided into 18 regions, or 

spatial units. Consumptive-use estimates were computed by 

subtracting return flows from withdrawals. For each spatial 

unit (the Queensland coast, for example), the gross water 

consumed by pasture, crops, and horticulture is listed. For 

pastures, the gross water consumption is 2.5–13.8 million 

liters per hectare (ML/ha); for crops, 0.6–25.0 ML/ha; and for 

horticultural, 2.1–13.7 ML/ha (table 3.5, p. 37). Regionally, 

the gross water consumption is lowest in the areas with the 

highest rainfall, such as the southern and eastern coastal areas 

from south-east Victoria to the Burdekin region in Queensland, and Tasmania. In these areas, irrigation withdrawals 

from streams and ground water are usually used to supplement 

rather than replace rainfall and are typically less than 3 ML/ 

ha (p. 38). For arid areas such as the Western Australian and 

Northern Territory irrigated areas, the South Australian part of 

the Murray-Darling Basin, and Burdekin in Queensland, gross 

water consumption is higher, 8–14 ML/ha. For other regions, 

including the southern and northwestern parts of the MurrayDarling Basin, an intermediate amount of water per hectare is 

consumed. 

Avery, Charles, 1998, Water withdrawals in Illinois, 1995: 

U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS–063–98, 4 p., 

accessed May 15, 2006, at http://il.water.usgs.gov/pubs/ 

water_use95/wateruse95.html 

This document predominantly discusses water withdrawals in 1995 in Illinois and has a small section on consumptive 

use. For 1995, the water consumption in Illinois was 4 percent 

of all withdrawals in the State. The two categories in Illinois 

with the largest amount of water consumed were thermoelectric power and irrigation. 

Barlow, L.K., 2003, Estimated water use and availability 

in the Lower Blackstone River Basin, northern Rhode 

Island and south-central Massachusetts, 1995–99: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 2003–4190, 75 p., accessed July 30, 2006, at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri034190/pdf/wrir034190.pdf 

Water-use data—including withdrawals, use, and return 

flows—were collected for the Lower Blackstone River Basin 

in northern Rhode Island and south-central Massachusetts. 

Annotated Bibliography 

From these data, water availability (base flow plus safe-yield 

estimates minus streamflow criteria) was estimated for the 

low-flow period (June–September). As part of this study, 

consumptive use and unaccounted-for use were estimated. 

The study used consumptive-use coefficients of 15 percent for 

domestic use, 10 percent for commercial and industrial use, 

and 76 percent for irrigation (p. 26). Barlow states that the 

domestic, commercial and industrial consumptive-use coefficients are consistent with traditional consumptive-use rates 

in New England. The irrigation consumptive-use coefficient is 

in Solley and others (1993). The irrigation coefficient includes 

both conveyance losses and consumptive use. By subbasin, 

the water use not accounted for was 0.007–0.944 Mgal/d. 

The largest proportion consisted of leakage and exfiltration at 

62 percent, followed by firefighting (12.0 percent) and major 

water-utility breaks (6.4 percent). Also of interest in this basin 

was a thermoelectric facility that withdrew water in one subbasin, used the water in a different subbasin, and trucked in 

water when the flows were too low in the river from which the 

water was withdrawn. The facility was classified as a zeroliquid-discharge facility; all water was consumed through 

evaporation and given a 100-percent consumptive-use coefficient (Gary Coutre, Etts Engineer, Ocean State Power, written 

commun., 2000). 

Brill, E.D., Jr., Stout, G.E., Fuessle, R.W., Lyon, R.M., 

and Wojnarowski, K.E., 1977, Issues related to water 

allocation in the Lower Ohio River Basin: University 

of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ohio River Energy 

Study, v.III–G, 81 p. 

As part of a report projecting water use for Illinois, 

Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, this volume includes water-use 

data (withdrawals and water consumption) for 1970 from the 

Ohio River Basin Energy Study. Estimated municipal water 

consumption was 20 percent of the withdrawals and industrial water consumption was 6 percent. Thermoelectric power 

water consumption was about 0.1 percent for the four states 

(p. III-G-6). 

College of Exploration [n.d.], Global water cycle: Global 

Hydrology and Climate Center, 12 p., accessed May 1, 

2006, at http://www.coexploration.org/howsthewater/html/ 

body_earth.html 

In addition to data from Solley and others (1998), this 

document includes a table of global water demand and consumption (source of data is unknown). By sector, agriculture 

has a consumptive-use coefficient of 65 percent 

(1,870 km3/yr divided by 2,880 km3/yr); industry, 9 percent 

(90 km3/yr divided by 975 km3/yr); and domestic, 17 percent 

(50 km3/yr divided by 300 km3/yr; p. 7). 
86 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Cosgrove, W.J., and Rijsberman, F.R., 2000, The use of 

water today, chap. 2 of World wide vision, making water 

everybody’s business: World Water Council, p. 4–21, 

accessed April 28, 2006, at http://www.worldwatercouncil. 

org/fileadmin/wwc/Library/WWVision/Chapter2.pdf 

A comprehensive document on world water use, this 

report includes consumptive-use data and numerous figures. 

In 1995, about 10 percent of the available blue water—renewable surface-water runoff and ground-water recharge—was 

withdrawn, and approximately 5 percent of the available blue 

water was consumed (p. 6). Although this amount might seem 

low, other factors play a role in water availability for use and 

consumption. 

Some of the world’s water resources are in areas not 

readily accessible and where human demands are small, such 

as Canada, Alaska, and the Amazon Basin. In some arid and 

semiarid areas of the world, the human water use is reaching 

80–90 percent of the water available. Timing and location of 

rainfall also contribute to the accessibility of water, such as the 

sometimes limited accessibility of large amounts of rain falling in a short period. Many areas of the world do not have the 

storage facilities (tanks, reservoirs, and aquifers) to hold water 

from intermittent storms until it is needed. 

Another water-availability concern is the quality of water: 

water might be reused so many times that the quality of the 

water degrades to the point that safe reuse is impossible (p. 7). 

About 70 percent of total withdrawals for 1995 are used 

for irrigation, 20 percent for industrial, and 10 percent for 

municipalities (Shiklomanov, 1999). For 1995, consumptive 

use for irrigation was 70 percent, industrial was 11 percent, 

and municipal was 14 percent (Shiklomanov, 1999). It also is 

noted that, depending on technology, irrigation methods range 

in consumption from 30 to 40 percent for flood irrigation and 

as high as 90 percent for drip irrigation (p. 8). Also of interest 

is that between 1961 and 1997, the irrigated area or the world 

has doubled, the greatest increases being in the United States 

and Asia (fig. 2.1, p. 8). 

A figure depicting the annual renewable water resources 

by region on each continent shows the annual water resources 

in cubic kilometers by source of water (either local resources 

and inflows; p. 13). Another concern with water availability is 

that “worldwide, 20 percent of freshwater fish are vulnerable, 

endangered, or extinct” (box 2.4, p. 16) and “half the rivers 

and lakes in Europe and North America are seriously polluted, 

though their condition has improved in the past 30 years” 

(p. 16). Another concern given is that many streams will dry 

up before they reach the ocean (p. 17). 

[Withdrawal and consumption are in cubic kilometers. Coefficient is in percent. Source is Shiklomanov (1999).] 

Statistic 1900 1950 1995 

Agriculture 

Withdrawal 

Consumption 

Coefficient 

500 

300 

60 

1,100 

700 

64 

2,500 

1,750 

70 

Industry 

Withdrawal 

Consumption 

Coefficient 

Withdrawal 

Consumption 

Coefficient 

40 

5 

12 

20 

5 

25 

Municipalities 

Reservoirs 

200 

20 

10 

90 

15 

17 

750 

80 

11 

350 

50 

14 

Evaporation 0 10 200 

Totals 

Withdrawal 

Consumption 

Coefficient 

600 

300 

50 

1,400 

750 

54 

3,800 

2,100 

55 

Delaware River Basin Commission [n.d.], Year 2004 water 

withdrawal and consumptive use by large users on the 

tidal Delaware River: Accessed September 28, 2006, at 

http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/wateruse/ largeusers_04.htm 

This Web page is a large table showing the large water 

users in the Delaware River Basin by state and water-use category. Included in this table are the surface-water withdrawals, 

ground-water withdrawals, purchased-water amounts, total 

water use, and consumptive use. Consumptive use is shown 

in million gallons per year and as a percentage of the total for 

the power, industry, and public-water-supply facilities in the 

Delaware River Basin in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New 

Jersey. For public-water-supply facilities, the consumptive-use 

coefficient was 10 percent and was estimated by the Delaware River Basin Commission staff. For the power water-use 

category, the consumptive use was from 0.1 to 100 percent, 

most likely because of various types of facilities (once through 

versus other than once through). Overall, the thermoelectric 

power consumptive-use coefficient for all facilities was 1 percent. The industrial consumptive-use coefficients were from 

0.1 to 100 percent, most likely reflecting the wide variety of 

industrial uses of the water. Overall, the industrial consumptive use for all facilities was 4 percent. 

DeSimone, L.A., 2002, Simulation of ground-water flow 

and evaluation of water-management alternatives 

in the Assabet River Basin, eastern Massachusetts: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2004–5114, 133 p. 

Water quality in the Assabet River Basin in Massachusetts is adversely affected by wastewater discharges 

and streamflow depletion from ground-water withdrawals. 

Ground-water-flow models were developed to simulate the 

flow in the Assabet River Basin during altered withdrawals 
 

 

 

 

87 

and discharges. The results of three scenarios are presented. 

Conditions were based on 1997–2001 data. 

Consumptive use in 11 of 20 towns in the basin was estimated from analysis of seasonal water use. “Consumptive use 

was assumed to result from irrigation or other water use during 

the high-use months of spring, summer, and fall [April–October] . . . Months were identified as low- or high-use months 

based on the seasonal patterns of public-supply withdrawals in 1997–2001.” Consumptive use was computed for each 

town by first determining the mean withdrawal rate for the 

low-water-use months of November through March (summing 

the withdrawals for each of the five months and dividing by 

5). Then, for each high-water-use month (April–October), the 

mean withdrawal rate was subtracted from each month’s total 

withdrawal, as follows: 

June consumptive use = June withdrawals –

Sum of low water-use months withdrawals

Nov.+ Dec.+ Jan.+ Feb.+ Mar. withdrawals e 5 

Within the extent of the public-water systems, the areas 

in the town were identified as areas of residential, commercial, 

industrial, or urban public land use. Next, areal rates were 

computed by applying consumptive-use coefficients to each 

of the identified areas of residential, commercial, industrial, 

or urban public land use. “Monthly areal rates of consumptive 

water use ranged from 0.4 in/yr in April to 2.59 in/yr in July; 

the mean annual rate was 0.92 in/yr. These rates were applied 

to developed land-use areas in privately supplied towns to 

estimate a mean annual consumptive use for privately supplied 

parts of the basin of 0.72 Mgal/d. This volume is a net outflow 

from the ground-water system in privately supplied, developed 

areas . . . Consumptive use in publicly supplied parts of the 

basin was estimated similarly at 0.71 Mgal/d.” 

Ellefson, B.R., Rury, K.S., and Krohelski, J.T., 1987, Water 

use in Wisconsin, 1985: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 87–699 [poster]. 

Water-use and water-disposition information for Wisconsin in 1985 are displayed on this poster, which contains 

15 illustrations. For the State, only 4.8 percent of the total 

amount of withdrawals was consumed. Coefficients used to 

compute consumptive use by water-use categories were 1 percent for thermoelectric, 100 percent for irrigation, 80 percent 

for nonirrigation agricultural uses, 20 percent for industrial 

ground-water use, and 10 percent for industrial surface-water 

withdrawals. 

Endreny, T.A., 2005, New York State water and hydrology, in The encyclopedia of New York State: Syracuse 

University Press, p. 1664–1670. 

This article is an overview of water-resource supply 

and demand in New York State, as well as issues concerning water quality and quantity. For 2000, a total volume of 

16,800 Mgal/d of water was withdrawn from the State’s water 

resources. Of this, 54 percent was from fresh surface water 

and 6 percent was from ground water. The remaining 40 perAnnotated Bibliography 

cent was saline water used primarily for thermoelectric power 

generation. Total water withdrawal and consumption per 

water-use category per day in New York State are presented 

in a table reproduced below. The data source for this table is 

from New York State Water Quality 2000, published by the 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 

Division of Water, in October 2000. 

[Mgal/d, million gallons per day. ] 

Category 

Water 

consumed 

(Mgal/d) 

Withdrawal 

(Mgal/d) 

Coefficient 

(in percent) 

Domestic 107 1,954 5.48 

Commercial 61 609 10 

Industrial 62 615 10 

Public use 0 424 0 

Irrigation 26 30 86.7 

Livestock 30 34 88.2 

Mining 17 62 27.4 

Fossil fuel 212 10,600 2 

Nuclear 88 2,440 3.6 

Total 603 16,800 3.59 

Environment Canada, 2004, Threats to water availability in Canada, Burlington, Ontario, National Water 

Research Institute, Scientific Assessment Report Series 

no. 3 and Atmospheric and Climate Science Directorate Science Assessment Series no. 1, 128 p., accessed 

June 15, 2006, at 

http://www.nwri.ca/threats2full/intro-e.html 

Chapter 5, “Municipal Water Supply and Urban Developments” has a diagram showing “Water use in Canada, 1996,” 

which includes the intake from a water supply, gross water, 

recirculated water, consumed water, and discharged water for 

thermal power, manufacturing, municipal, agriculture, and 

mining categories. Also of interest is that “on average, about 

20 percent of total daily municipal water use is attributed 

mostly to distribution losses and also to unaccounted-forwater” (p. 38). Municipal water use accounts for only 11 percent of the total water use (withdrawals) for Canada (p. 37). 

In Chapter 6, “Manufacturing and Thermal Energy 

Demands,” water use and consumptive use for Canada are discussed. “Paper and allied products, primary metals, chemicals 

and chemical products industries made up 82 percent of total 

water intake in 1996 ” (p. 41). Also, 82 percent of the water 

supply for the manufacturing sector was from self-supplied 

freshwater surface sources (p. 41). “Nationally, water consumption was 9 percent of total withdrawals in 1996, up from 

7 percent in 1991 (p. 42). Whereas consumption rates have 

been increasing, total water intake withdrawals decreased from 

1981 (p. 41). Although the purpose of water use will vary by 

manufacturing sector, on the whole, 49 percent of the total 

intake was used for process water, 47 percent for cooling, 

condensing, and steam generation, and 2 percent for sanitary 

uses (p. 41). 
88 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Chapter 7, “Land Use Practices and Changes—Agriculture,” states that approximately 7 percent of the land in Canada 

is used for agriculture, but only 13 percent of this total is in 

Ontario and Quebec (82 percent is in the Prairie provinces) 

(p. 49). Agriculture comprises 9 percent of the total water 

withdrawals for Canada but had a consumptive-use coefficient 

of 71 percent and is the largest consumer of water. Most of the 

irrigation in Canada uses sprinkler irrigation systems (p. 50). 

Chapter 9, “Land-Use Practices and Changes—Mining 

and Petroleum Production” has a note in a table that “no reliable mining water consumption values can be estimated due 

to a high level of discrepancies between intake and discharge, 

probably due to unaccounted for tailings pond losses to evaporation and subsurface seepage (p. 68).” 

[Modified from table 1, Environment Canada (2004), chapter 6, “Selected 

Characteristics of Manufacturing and Thermal Energy Water Use (million 

cubic meters water/year, MCM per year), by Parameter and Industry Group, 

1996.” Total water intake and water consumption are in million cubic meters.] 

Consumptive- Total Water use Industry water consumption coefficient1 

intake (percent) 

Food 269.5 29.5 10.9 

Beverages 73.1 16.9 23.1 

Rubber products 12.3 1.0 7.8 

Plastic products 13.3 1.3 9.4 

Primary products 86.7 2.1 2.4 

Textiles products 15.0 2.1 14.1 

Wood products 45.1 12.1 26.9 

Paper & allied 2,421.3 214.3 8.9 

products 

Primary metals 1,423.0 120 8.4 

Fabricated metals 19.4 1.1 5.6 

Transportation 65.4 19.0 29.0 

equipment 

Non-metallic 102.3 19.2 18.7 

mineral 

products 

Petroleum & coal 370.5 22.5 6.1 

products 

Chemicals & 1,121.3 90.7 8.1 

chemical 

products 

Total 6,038.3 551.6 9.1 

manufacturing 

Total thermal 28,749 508 1.8 

power 

generation 

1

 Coefficients from Environment Canada (not computed by authors of this 

bibliography). 

European Environment Agency, 2005, The European environment—State and outlook 2005: Luxembourg, 570 p., 

accessed on June 19, 2006, at http://reports.eea.europa.eu/ 

state_of_environment_report_2005_1/en/tab_content_RLR 

About one-third of the water withdrawal in Europe is 

used to irrigate crops, a little less than one-third is used in 

cooling towers for thermoelectric power, 25 percent is used 

for domestic purposes (taps and toilets), and 13 percent is 

used in manufacturing. The amount of water used by each 

water-use category (domestic, manufacturing, thermoelectric, 

and irrigation) varies across the continent. For example, in 

most of the northern Europe countries, less than 10 percent of 

water withdrawals are used for irrigation, whereas in southern 

Europe more than 60 percent of withdrawals are used for irrigation. Two-thirds of the water withdrawals for Belgium and 

Germany are used for thermoelectric power. With regard to 

consumption, reported coefficients are 80 percent of the water 

withdrawals for agriculture (absorption by crops or evaporation from fields), 20 percent of manufacturing and domestic 

water withdrawals, and 5 percent of thermoelectric power 

water withdrawals. It also is noted that the 95 percent of the 

thermoelectric withdrawal that is returned to the environment 

is typically warmer than before it is used and can negatively 

affect local ecosystems. Also, the 80 percent of the industrial 

and domestic withdrawals returned are often contaminated 

and are returned at a different location than the withdrawals. 

Of special note is that “the greatest potential for water saving 

lies in reducing leakage rates in water distribution systems, 

particularly for domestic use (p. 3).” Water losses (through 

leakage) account for over one-third of the withdrawals in 

some older cities in Europe. Although some of this leakage 

recharges ground water and can be pumped and used again, in 

other locations the water cannot be reused because the water 

beneath the city is too contaminated. 

Government of Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office, 

1995, The Great Lakes—An environmental atlas and 

resource book (3d ed.): Toronto, Ontario, and Chicago, 

Ill., 46 p. 

This publication describes the physical characteristics of 

the Great Lakes water system, as well as the settlement and 

industrialization of the area. Climate, hydrologic cycle, and 

water resources are described. Water levels, effects of diversions, and outcomes from consumptive-use studies are also 

given. Tables included in this report (summarized below) list 

Great Lakes municipal, manufacturing, and power production 

water withdrawals and consumption per lake. 
 

 

 

 

Annotated Bibliography 89 

Consumptive use per category per lake (in cubic feet per second) for Great Lake Basins, 1985. 

[Modified from Michigan State University (1985); %, percent; coefficient is calculated and rounded to the nearest whole number.] 

Category and Country Superior Michigan Huron Erie Ontario Totals 

Municipal:

 Canada 

Withdrawn 40 120 190 660 1,010 

Consumed 10 20 30 100 160 

Coefficient 25% 17% 16% 15% 16%

 United States 

Withdrawn 70 2,940 310 2,820 380 6,520 

Consumed 10 190 170 280 70 720 

Coefficient 14% 6% 55% 10% 18% 11% 

Manufacturing:

 Canada 

Withdrawn 860 1,360 1,900 2,760 6,880 

Consumed 20 70 80 100 270 

Coefficient 2% 5% 4% 4% 4%

 United States 

Withdrawn 410 9,650 1,060 9,110 530 20,760 

Consumed 60 880 30 1500 40 2510 

Coefficient 15% 9% 3% 16% 8% 12% 

Power production:

 Canada 

Withdrawn 70 2,870 1,160 8,370 12,470 

Consumed 0 20 10 60 90 

Coefficient 0% 1% 1% 1% 1%

 United States 

Withdrawn 760 13,600 2,570 13,180 6,520 36,360 

Consumed 10 240 50 190 120 610 

Coefficient 1% 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% 

Total withdrawn 2,210 26,190 8,290 28,360 19,220 84,270 

Total consumed 110 1,310 360 1,990 490 4,260 

Coefficient 5% 5% 4% 7% 3% 5% 

Grannemann, N.G. Hunt, R.J., Nicholas, J.R., Reilly, T.E., 

and Winter, T.C., 2000, The importance of ground water 

in the Great Lakes Region: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 00–4008, 14 p. 

This report states that the total ground-water withdrawal in the Great Lakes Region was estimated to be about 

1,510 Mgal/d (from Solley and others, 1998) with an additional 200 Mgal/d withdrawn in the Chicago area just outside 

the basin. About 5 percent of the ground water withdrawn in 

the Great Lakes Basin was consumed. Irrigation is identified 

as the largest consumptive use of water in the Great Lakes 

Basin. The irrigation withdrawals were equally supplied by 

ground water and surface water; but if new irrigation systems 

are installed in areas where surface-water sources are not 

available, ground water would be used as the water source. 

This report gives an example water budget for Lake Michigan. 

Great Lakes Commission, 2003, Water Resources Management Decision Support System for the Great Lakes— 

Status of data and information on water resources, 

water use, and related ecological impacts: Ann Arbor, 

Mich., final report, chap. 3, p. 49–68, accessed July 30, 

2006, at http://www.glc.org/wateruse/wrmdss/finalreport/ 

pdf/WR-Ch.3-2003.pdf 

Chapter 3 of this report discusses the commission’s 

inventory of water-withdrawal and water-use data and related 

information for the Great Lakes. This chapter includes the 

following tables: a self-assessment by jurisdiction for “Fulfilling Data Collection Commitments Under the Great Lakes 

Charter” (table 3-1, p. 51), a “Summary of Water Use Reporting Programs by Jurisdiction” (table 3-2, p. 53), a “Summary 

Characterization of Water Use Permitting, Registration and 

Reporting Programs” (table 3-3, p. 54), “Consumptive Use 

Coefficients by Water Use Category,” (table 3-4, p. 60) and 
90 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

“Measured Processes for Consumptive Use Reporting by 

Facilities” (table 3-5, p. 61). Most of these tables are reproduced in or derived from other Great Lakes Commission documents. The table “Consumptive Use Coefficients by Water Use 

Category” is reproduced in this report in appendix table 3–1. 

Great Lakes Commission, 2005a, Annual reports from the 

Great Lakes Regional Water Use Database Repository, 

representing 1998 to 2002 water-use data: Ann Arbor, 

Mich., accessed on May 31, 2006, at http://www.glc.org/ 

wateruse/database/downloads.html 

For each year from 1998 to 2002 there are three reports: 

Introduction, Summary Reports, and Jurisdictional (states or 

provinces) Analyses; Basin Tables; and Water Use Category 

Tables (each are available in gallons or liters). Water-use data 

(reported to the Great Lakes Commission by the individual 

agencies in states and provinces) are organized by jurisdiction, water-use category, and basin for each year of data. Also 

included in the more recent reports is a table of consumptiveuse coefficients used by jurisdictions for each water use-category. (This table is repeated in several Great Lakes Commission documents.) For public supply and self-supplied domestic 

use, the consumptive-use coefficient used by jurisdiction is 

from 10 to 15 percent. Most jurisdictions use a 90-percent 

consumptive-use coefficient for self-supplied irrigation with 

the exceptions being Ontario (78 percent) and Wisconsin 

(70 percent, p. 10). For self-supplied livestock, eight jurisdictions use 80 percent as the consumptive-use coefficient and 

two (New York and Wisconsin) use 90 percent. Hydroelectric 

power has no consumptive use (0 percent). For the remainder of the categories—self-supplied industrial, self-supplied 

thermoelectric (fossil fuel or nuclear), self-supplied other, each 

jurisdiction has a different basis for estimating consumptive 

use, including a single coefficient, a range of coefficients, and 

plant and Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC), among 

others (p. 10). The table “Consumptive Use Coefficients by 

Water Use Category” is reproduced in this report in appendix 

table 3–1. Additionally, consumptive-use coefficients derived 

from the annual report data are in this report as tables 3–2 to 

3–9. 

Great Lakes Commission, 2005b, Great Lakes Regional 

Water Use Database: Ann Arbor, Mich., accessed May 

31, 2006, at http://www.glc.org/wateruse/database/search. 

html 

The database is a repository of water-use data published 

in annual reports of the commission and includes a search 

engine for 1998–2002 data. Users can search by geographic 

area: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, 

Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Wisconsin. Additional searches include water-use 

category and type of water used (ground water, Great Lakes 

surface water, and other surface water). Data can be displayed 

as either million gallons or million liters per day. Users are 

advised to read the metadata sheet before using this database 

because the data from each jurisdiction were compiled differently and should not be directly compared. On the metadata 

page is a link to the table “Consumptive-Use Coefficients 

by water use category among Great Lakes Jurisdictions and 

USGS.” This table is from a Great Lakes Commission Survey 

in the spring 2002, is found in other Great Lake Commission documents, and is reproduced in this report in appendix 

table 3–1. 

Great Lakes Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1999, Living with the lakes—Understanding 

and adapting to Great Lakes water level changes: Ann 

Arbor, Mich., 39 p. 

As part of this document on Great Lakes water-level 

fluctuations, consumptive use is discussed. It is noted that, 

owing to the large volume of the lakes, consumptive use has 

only a minor effect on water levels. It is further noted that the 

average household uses 100 gallons of water per person per 

day (p. 10). For industry, about 10 percent of the water used 

in industrial processes is consumed; for thermoelectric power, 

less than 2 percent of withdrawals is consumed (p. 10). 

Guldin, R.W., 1989, An analysis of the water situation 

in the United States, 1989–2040: Ft. Collins, Colo., 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky 

Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, General Technical Report RM–177, 178 p. 

Mandated by the Forests and Rangelands Renewable 

Resources Planning Act of 1974, this document fulfills a 

requirement for a national analysis of water availability and 

quality, with emphasis on implications for forest and rangeland management. Social, environmental, and economic issues 

are considered in addition to quantity and quality issues. Much 

of the information used in the analysis was derived from 

previous publications. The regional tabulation of categorical 

consumptive-use data for (table 9, p. 44) was based on the 

USGS 5-year water-use circulars from 1960 through 1985; 

projections of consumptive use beyond 1985 were made by 

Soil Conservation Service personnel on the basis of “trends in 

the historical data.” 

Horn, M.A., 2000, Method for estimating water use and 

interbasin transfers of freshwater and wastewater in 

an urbanized basin: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99–4287, 34 p. 

A 10-step method to estimate interbasin transfers of 

freshwater and wastewater was tested in the Ten Mile River 

Basin in southeastern Massachusetts. The method for estimating basin withdrawals, interbasin transfers or freshwater and 

wastewater, unaccounted-for uses, water use, consumptive 

use, inflow and infiltration, and basin return flow made use of 

available statewide data (p. 3). The study area covered 46 mi2 

and contained about 50 lakes and ponds, many of which are 

along the Ten Mile River. 
 91 

Consumptive use was estimated by the author using 

a consumptive-use coefficient of 15 percent for domestic 

and 10 percent for the commercial and industrial. Horn also 

estimated unaccounted-for water public suppliers using an 

assumed average of 10 percent. 

Horn, M.A., Craft, P.A., and Bratton, Lisa, 1994, Estimation of water withdrawal and distribution, water use, 

and wastewater collection and return flow in Cumberland, Rhode Island, 1988: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 93–4023, 54 p. 

This report is a case study demonstrating the integration of water-use data from different agencies and facilities 

in Cumberland, R.I. In this study, domestic consumptive 

use was estimated by use of a consumptive-use coefficient 

of 15 percent from Solley and others (1993). The domestic 

consumptive-use coefficient (15 percent) is primarily due to 

evaporation from lawn and garden watering, car and sidewalk 

washing, and pools (p. 27). Industrial consumptive use was 

estimated to be 4 percent of the withdrawals from estimation 

of evaporation and incorporation into the products estimated 

by the industries (p. 30). Horn and others (1994) applied an 

8 percent consumptive-use coefficient to commercial withdrawals to get commercial consumptive use. For the study 

area, the authors stated, commercial consumptive use is less 

than domestic consumptive use because commercial use does 

not include as much lawn and garden watering, car or sidewalk 

washing, or as many pools (p. 31). Livestock consumptive use 

was estimated as 80 percent, where 60 percent was evaporated, 

20 percent was consumed by livestock, and 20 percent was 

returned to the ground-water system (p. 32). Irrigation was 

virtually all consumptive use (100 percent) because of evaporation (p. 32). 

Hutson, S.S., 1998, Water use in Tennessee, 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 98–087, 4 p., accessed July 30, 

2006, at http://tn.water.usgs.gov/wustates/tn/factoffstream. 

html 

Data for the publication were compiled the U.S. Geological Survey and the Tennessee Department of Environmental 

and Conservation, Division of Water Supply. This fact sheet 

states that about 11 percent of industrial and mining water 

withdrawals in Tennessee were consumed in the production 

process, about 10 percent of the domestic and commercial 

water withdrawals were consumed, and virtually all the 

withdrawals for agriculture were consumed. Also of interest 

is that, for public utilities, about 10 percent of the withdrawals 

(78 Mgal/d divided by 777 Mgal/d) was either used for public 

uses (fire fighting, parks, and municipal swimming pools) or 

lost in conveyance. 

Annotated Bibliography 

Hutson, S.S., Koroa, M.C., and Murphree, C.M., 2004, 

Estimated use of water in the Tennessee River watershed 

in 2000 and projections of water use to 2030: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

03–4302, 89 p., accessed July 30, 2006, at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri034302/PDF/wrir034302part2. 

pdf 

This report presents water-use data for the Tennessee 

River watershed for 2000 and gives projections for 2030. 

Consumptive use, defined as the “difference between water 

withdrawals and return flow” (p. 1), was estimated as only 

5 percent of the total withdrawals for the watershed. More 

specifically, consumptive use was less than 1 percent for all 

thermoelectric power water withdrawals, 22 percent for industrial withdrawals, 43 percent for public-supply withdrawals 

(based on comparison of community-water-system withdrawals and wastewater return flows), and 100 percent for irrigation 

withdrawals. Detailed tables list withdrawals, return flows, and 

the net water demand (consumptive use) by reservoir catchment areas as well as by Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) and 

county. The report also includes a figure showing “cumulative 

consumptive use at major water-tabulation area junctures and 

net water demand for reservoir catchment areas in the Tennessee River watershed in 2000” (fig. 9, p. 13). 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive 

Use Study Board, 1981a, Great Lakes diversions and 

consumptive uses: Ottawa, Ontario, and Chicago, Ill., 

Report to the International Joint Commission (under 

the Reference of February 21, 1977), main report plus 

6 annexes and 3 appendixes. 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive 

Use Study Board, 1981b, Great Lakes diversions and 

consumptive uses: Ottawa, Ontario, and Chicago, Ill., 

Annex F, Consumptive water use, 151 p. 

In response to a reference from the governments of the 

United States and Canada, the International Joint Commission 

established the International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive Use Study Board to examine possibilities of diversion management to alleviate extreme high and low levels of 

the Great Lakes. The consumptive-use part of the study gathered available data to establish a baseline of water withdrawal, 

recirculation, and consumptive use for 1975, to be used in 

conjunction with economic and population data for projections 

through 2035. Forecasts for the U.S. part of the basin leaned 

heavily on water information from previous forecast efforts 

and data compilations, including the U.S. Water Resource 

Council’s Second National Water Assessment, USGS 5-year 

water-use censuses, and the Great Lakes Basin Commission 

Framework Study. Forecasts for the Canadian part were done 

largely by computer simulation with available data because no 

national water-demand forecast had been done at the time of 

the study. Section 6 of the main report summarizes this work, 

and the separately bound Annex F presents descriptions and 

data in detail. 
92 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Despite the detail in Annex F, simple withdrawal/consumption 

ratios are reported only sparsely, in part because projection 

methods either used variable coefficients or arrived at consumption figures through more complicated avenues. Among 

the few reported coefficients for the Canadian part of the basin 

are 

•	 municipal water consumption (assumed), 20 percent 

of total withdrawal (p. 26) or 15 percent of residential plus commercial water uses plus estimated losses 

(p. 25); 

•	 rural residential, 60 percent of intake (assumed; p. 27); 

•	 golf-course irrigation basinwide, 75 percent (p. 87; 

Great Lakes Basin Commission); 

•	 and livestock, 100 percent (assumed; p. 81–82; rates by 

type of animal given on p. 84). 

Other data related to standard consumptive-use coefficients are 

•	 the U.S. percentage of municipal commercial withdrawals that are consumption, by lake basin (range, 

11–54 percent; p. 11); 

•	 U.S. ratios of manufacturing withdrawals to consumptive use for best available technology, by lake basin 

(range, 1.26–1.55; p. 39); 

•	 consumption and water intake for Canadian SICs for 

1975 (p. 50); 

•	 1975 Canadian withdrawal and consumption figures for 

the top five SICs, by lake basin (p. 62–63); 

•	 and estimated water consumption for thermoelectric power categories, in million gallons per day 

per gigawatt-hour per year (Mgal/d/GWh/yr), 

0.21–0.33 Mgal/d/GWh/yr for fossil-fueled plants and 

0.35–0.56 Mgal/d/GWh/yr for nuclear plants (p. 114). 

Extensive tables at the back of the annex list U.S. and Canadian and non-lake water withdrawals and consumption, in 

aggregate and by lake basin. 

[Modified from Tate (1979) table 22. Total water intake and water consumption are in million gallons per day.] 

Industry 

Total 

water 

intake 

Water 

consumption 

Consumptiveuse 

coefficient 

(percent) 

Mines & mineral 93.600 10.400 11.1 

fuels 

Food & beverages 103.335 9.279 9 

Tobacco 0.568 0.278 49 

Rubber & plastics 268.250 1.611 0.6 

Leather 2.672 0.277 10 

Textiles, knitting 44.508 1.189 3 

mills and 

clothing 

Wood, furniture, & 5.276 0.476 9 

fixtures 

Paper & allied 463.053 20.978 4.5 

products 

Printing & 1.525 0.064 4.2 

publishing 

Iron & steel 645.000 14.819 2.3 

Other primary 42.155 0.969 2.3 

metals 

Metal fabricating 13.543 0.737 5.4 

Machinery 3.039 0.172 5.7 

Transportation 103.979 3.222 3.1 

equipment 

Electrical products 16.118 0.480 3.0 

Non-metallic 27.611 3.610 13 

mineral products 

Petroleum & coal 187.173 8.558 4.6 

Chemicals & 713.167 37.960 5.3 

chemical 

products 

Misc. 5.230 0.216 4.1 

manufacturing 

Kaufman, Alvin, 1967, Water use in the mineral industry: 

Transactions of the Society of Mining Engineers, AIME, 

v. 238, p. 83–90. 

In this eight-page document, data from the 1962 Bureau 

of Mines statistical canvass of water-use data are further 

analyzed for consumptive use, recirculated water, and concerns regarding water resources for the mineral industries. 

Consumptive-use coefficients for commodities and by major 

drainage basin region are reported as a percentage of gross 

water use, which is the total of recirculated water plus intake 

water. (These coefficients differ from those computed for this 

bibliography, which are based on the amount of water withdrawn (intake).) Kaufman postulated a relation between grosswater-based consumption, climate, and recirculation; results 

from multiple regression analysis using consumed water per 

river basin, recirculated water, and a 30-year average river­
Annotated Bibliography 93 

basin temperatures and humidity showed a medium to high 

correlation between consumed water and recirculated water 

and a low correlation between consumed water and temperate 

and humidity. 

Although consumptive-use coefficients based on gross 

water used are an interesting alternative, they cannot be computed unless gross water amounts are known. Many industries 

know and report volumes of water withdrawn (intake), but far 

fewer know and report water recirculated volumes. Also, in 

other documents examined for this bibliography, recirculatedwater and gross-water volumes, where listed, are usually noted 

as being less accurate than water-withdrawn (intake) volumes. 

Kaufman, Alvin, and Nadler, Mildred, 1966, Water use in 

the mineral industry: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information 

Circular 8285, 58 p. 

In 1963, the U.S. Bureau of Mines canvassed mineral 

producers to determine water use in 1962. The major water-using mineral industries at the time were natural gas processing, 

phosphate rock, sand and gravel, and iron ore. As part of the 

questionnaire, two statistical forms were used: one for petroleum and natural gas drilling contractors, secondary recovery 

operators, and natural gas processing plants, and another for 

mineral and coal producers. For nonmetals, 80 percent of 

the value of production was represented in the questionnaire 

respondents, and 95 percent of all metals were represented 

(table 2, p. 9). Respondents were surveyed on how much new 

water was used, how the water was used, the amount of water 

discharged, and the water consumed. (Evaporation and the 

amount of water lost in products should equal the amount of 

wastewater subtracted from the amount of new water.) For the 

entire United States, 16 percent of the new water intake by the 

mineral industry was consumed either through evaporation or 

as loss in product (p. 20). For the Great Lakes States, the mining consumptive use was from 3 to 12 percent, with a mean 

of 6 percent. For the states climatically similar to the Great 

Lakes, the consumptive use was from 2 to 34 percent, with a 

mean of 20 percent; if West Virginia and Tennessee (consumptive-use coefficients of 23 and 34 percent) were omitted from 

the computation, the consumptive use would be 2–12 percent 

with a mean of 7 percent (computed from tables below). For 

water-use regions including the Great Lakes and climatically 

similar regions, the consumptive use was from 5 to 34 percent, with a mean of 11 percent. If the Tennessee region were 

excluded (34 percent consumptive use coefficient), the consumptive use would be 5–12 percent with a mean of 7 percent. 

[Modified from Kaufman and Nadler (1966; tables 3 (p. 10) and 4 (p. 15)). New water withdrawn and water consumed are in gallons per year; 

coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the new water-withdrawn and water-consumed figures).] 

State New water 

withdrawn 

Water 

consumed 

Coefficient 

(percent) 

Total 

operations 

Number 

replying 

Response 

(percent) 

Illinois 14,765 679 5 1,094 874 80 

Indiana 8,920 431 5 616 419 68 

Michigan 47,296 1,202 3 539 459 85 

Minnesota 102,314 4,376 4 440 412 94 

New York 20,172 2,108 10 466 393 84 

Ohio 32,701 3,919 12 795 657 83 

Pennsylvania 41,972 3,654 9 893 717 80 

Wisconsin 1,870 52 3 452 396 88 

Great Lakes 270,010 16,421 6 5,295 4,327 82 

States 

Connecticut 2,274 169 7 117 92 79 

Delaware 112 7 6 16 12 75 

Iowa 2,011 45 2 344 319 93 

Kentucky 9,612 746 8 373 326 87 

Maine 206 11 5 101 99 98 

Maryland 5,195 391 8 117 91 78 

Massachusetts 2,614 172 7 179 144 80 

Missouri 15,776 765 5 440 303 89 

New Hampshire 643 34 5 74 70 95 

New Jersey 12,890 439 3 154 120 78 

North Carolina 7,898 674 9 321 223 69 

Rhode Island 506 45 9 31 28 90 

Tennessee 57,304 19,485 34 194 173 89 

Vermont 582 57 10 80 66 83 

Virginia 6,968 825 12 254 208 82 

West Virginia 20,464 4748 23 346 265 77 

Other States 145,055 28,613 20 3,141 2,539 81 
94 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

[Modified from Kaufman and Nadler (1966, from table 5 (p. 16)). New water 

withdrawn and water consumed are in gallons per year; coefficient is the 

percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the newwater-withdrawn and water-consumed figures).] 

New water Water Coefficient Water-use region withdrawn consumed (percent) 

[Modified from Kaufman and Nadler (1966, from table 7). New water withdrawn and water consumed are in gallons per year; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the new-waterwithdrawn and water-consumed figures).] 

New water Water Coefficient Type of operation withdrawn consumed (percent) 

Underground mines 84,131 15,656 19 

Surface mines 426,304 71,618 17 

Mills, preparation 327, 098 47,542 15 

plants, sand and 


gravel washing 


plants, and natural 


gas processing 


plants
 

Chemical or solution 16,267 6,326 39 

extraction 

Petroleum and natural 121,538 110,578 91 

gas production 

Other 55,058 4,845 9 

Total or average 1,030,396 256,565 25 

Kay, R.T., 2002, Estimated water withdrawals, water 

use, and water consumption in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 

Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin, 1950–95: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 01–4116, 29 p. 

Compiled from previously published USGS 5-year 

water-use reports, the data for the listed north-central states 

are presented graphically to highlight trends. The section on 

“Estimated Water Consumption” (p. 20–27) describes methods by which consumption data were manipulated to take into 

account, for example, losses from public-supply water, as well 

as self-supplied water where both sources are used. Consumption by various categories is graphed over the study period as 

consumption in million gallons per day and as a percentage of 

the total consumption for each state. Rural domestic use is the 

only category presented in terms of percentage consumed with 

respect to total withdrawal; the values graphed for 1995 appear 

to be near 10–15 percent for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and 

Michigan; 20 percent for Wisconsin; 25 percent for Missouri; 

and 40 percent in Iowa. (None of the data are tabulated.) 

Percentages reported before 1985 ranged widely, apparently 

because of substantially different assumptions by the estimators. For these north-central states, more than 90 percent of all 

water withdrawn for irrigation was consumed; the exception 

is Missouri, for which the coefficient was 75 percent. For selfsupplied industrial systems, the following consumptive-use 

coefficients since 1980 were reported: Kentucky, 4 percent; 

Indiana, 7 percent; Michigan, 7 percent; Iowa and Missouri, 

10 percent; Illinois and Wisconsin, 15 percent. Less than 

4 percent of the water withdrawn for thermoelectric power 

in these states from 1960 to 1995 was consumed. During 

1960–1995, less than 4 percent of withdrawn water was consumed in the north-central states. 

Chesapeake Bay 

Cumberland 

Delaware and 

Hudson 

Great Lakes1 

Mississippi, upper 

New England 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Region 

37,468 

597 

31,638 

167,850 

34,322 

6,343 

66,110 

61,926 

406,254 

2,560 

68 

1,955 

9,033 

2,262 

438 

7,859 

19,953 

44,128 

7 

11 

6 

5 

7 

7 

12 

32 

11 

1 Combined Eastern Great Lakes—St. Lawrence and Western Great Lakes 

regions. 

[Modified from Kaufman and Nadler (1966, from table 6 (p. 17)). New water 

withdrawn and water consumed are in gallons per year; coefficient is the 

percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the newwater-withdrawn and water-consumed figures).] 

Commodities New water 

withdrawn 

Water 

consumed 

Coefficient 

(percent) 

Anthracite 16,938 1,353 8 

Barite 4,855 414 9 

Bituminous coal 31,814 5,679 18 

Clays 7,118 836 12 

Copper ores 81,035 30,328 37 

Gold 54,566 645 1 

Iron ores 112,575 6,903 6 

Lead and zinc ores 22,885 1,535 7 

Lignite 18 10 56 

Natural gas processing 102,358 33,700 33 

plants 

Petroleum and natural 121,538 110,578 91 

gas production 

Phosphate rock 117,167 29,981 26 

Potash, soda, and 7,325 2,891 39 

borate 

Salt 28,933 6,921 24 

Sand and gravel 217,601 11,365 5 

Stone, crushed 50,415 3,378 7 

Stone, dimension 3,207 128 4 

Sulfur 17,604 4,648 26 

Undistributed 25,201 2,230 9 

Uranium, vanadium, 7,243 3,042 42 

and radium ores 

Total or mean 1,030,396 256,565 25 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95 

LaTour, J.K., 1991, Determination of water use in Rockford and Kankakee areas, Illinois:, U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90–4166, 

70 p. 

Amounts of water withdrawn, delivered, released, 

consumed, and returned, as well as conveyance losses and 

gains, were determined for six communities in Illinois in the 

Rockford and Kankakee areas. Although consumptive-use data 

were not available for the communities, consumptive use was 

estimated with a consumption-budget method and a typesof-use method. The consumption budget uses the following 

equation to determine consumptive uses: 

Consumptive use = (deliveries + self-supplied withdrawals) – (releases to sewage-treatment plants + direct returns to 

surface- and ground-water sources) (p. 24) 

The types-of-use estimates involved taking a percentage 

of the water withdrawals for the categories of cooling systems, 

boilers, and lawn watering. In Illinois, the percentage for cooling systems and lawn watering was 80 percent, and for boilers, 

90 percent. 

If data were insufficient for these methods, consumptive 

use was estimated from a minimum consumptive-use ratio per 

category (commercial = 0.096 and municipal = 0.284). For 

outside domestic-use estimates, a winter base-rate method 

was used wherein water withdrawal from November to April 

is summed and divided by 6 to yield a monthly winter base. 

By subtracting the base rate from water use for each month 

from May through October, outdoor water use is determined. 

Outdoor water use is then aggregated, and an evapotranspiration factor of 80 percent is applied to determine the consumptive use. 

This report also discusses the maximum lawn-watering 

method (MLW; p. 31), which is determined by taking May– 

October monthly potential evapotranspiration and subtracting 

the difference of the monthly precipitation and monthly runoff, 

then multiplying that number by the average lawn site: 

MLW = 6i PE – >P – R@ * LSi

where 

MLW is annual maximum lawn watering estimate 

per lawn, 

i is months when lawns are typically watered 

(May through October), 

PE is monthly potential evapotranspiration, 

P is monthly precipitation, 

R is monthly runoff, 

and 

LS is average lawn size. 

For the six communities, domestic consumptive-use 

ratios (consumptive-use estimates divided by deliveries and 

self-supply withdrawals) were derived using the types-of-use, 

maximum lawn-watering, and the winter base-rate methods 

and were compared. “Because the maximum lawn-watering 

Annotated Bibliography 

less than or similar to estimates calculated from the maximum 

lawn-watering method” (p. 32). “The winter base-rate method 

seems to be a more reasonable means of estimating domestic consumptive use than the types-of-use method because 

its ratios do not exceed the maximum lawn-watering ratios” 

(p. 33). 

[Modified from LaTour (1991, table 11). SIC, Standard Industrial Classification: Category: C, commercial; D, domestic; I, industrial; and M, municipal: 

Water user is an establishment or household: Mgal/yr, million gallons per 

year; DEL and SSWD, deliveries and (or) self-supply withdrawals.] 

Consumptive-use 

Sample ratio (average 

SIC code Category (number of consumptive uses 

water users) divided by DEL 

and SSWD) 

15-17 C 2 0.798 

20 I 12 .322 

23 I 2 .192 

24-26 I 6 .544 

27 I 6 .364 

28-29 I 9 .277 

30 I 4 .266 

32 I 2 .116 

33 I 10 .318 

34 I 23 .318 

35 I 18 .350 

36 I 8 .364 

37 I 2 .454 

38-39 I 4 .371 

43 C 1 .096 

48 C 1 .273 

50-53, 55-57, 59 C 33 .271 

54 C 11 .332 

58 C 31 .266 

60-65 C 14 .482 

67 C 6 .313 

70 C 5 .256 

72 C 6 .096 

73 C 2 .531 

75 C 3 .172 

79 M1

,C 6 .386 

80 C 10 .267 

81 C 2 .215 

82 M1

,C 2 .434 

83 M1

, C 5 .343 

86 C 13 .174 

88 D1 1,033 .423 

89 C 2 .400 

91-96 M1

, C 6 .284 

Mean .325 

1

Estimated from types-of-use method only. estimates represent maximum domestic consumptive use, 

reasonable domestic consumptive-use estimates should be 
96 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

[Modified from LaTour (1991, table 12). Categories from Rockford and 

Kankakee areas, Illinois, 1984. SIC, Standard Industrial Classification code; 

DEL and SSWD, deliveries and (or) self-supply withdrawals.] 

Category 

Sample 

(number of 

water users) 

Range of 

consumptiveuse ratios 

(by SIC code) 

Consumptive-use 

ratio (average 

consumptive uses 

divided by DEL 

and SSWD) 

Commercial 149 0.096 - .0798 0.292 

Industrial 106 0.116 - 0.554 .336 

Domestic1 1,033 -­ .423 

Municipal1 12 0.284 - 0.434 .336 

1

 Estimated from types-of-use method only. 

The above tables show consumptive-use coefficients 

(ratios) of SIC code and categories. LaTour states that 

although “these ratios may be used as coefficients to estimate 

consumptive uses for systems whose water uses and climate 

are similar, they should be used with caution. Some of the 

ratios were estimated from types-of-use data that probably 

represent the largest consumptive use in the study areas, and 

many were derived from a small number of water users sampled” (p. 26). LaTour found that the “winter base-rate method 

provided the best domestic consumptive-use estimates” and 

ranged from 0.030 (3 percent) to 0.136 (13.6 percent) and 

averaged 0.068 (6.8 percent). 

[Modified from LaTour (1991, fig. 8). Consumptive-use coefficient is in 

percent and was presented in report.] 

Rockford area Kankakee area 

Category consumptive-use consumptive-use 

coefficient coeffficient 

Commercial and 17.9 15.7 

industrial 

Domestic 7.4 3.8 

Municipal 25.8 28.4 

All categories 13.8 12.1 

In addition, LaTour assumed that “conveyance losses 

or gains” were zero for self-suppliers, but he noted that the 

national median for conveyance-loss was 11 percent and that 

most northern Illinois cities had a public-supply conveyance 

loss ranging from 0.5 to 40.0 percent of public-supply withdrawals. LaTour also noted that the public-supply conveyance 

losses are affected by the age and the size of the public-supply 

conveyance systems and the public-supply maintenance programs. LaTour found that the conveyance losses were 12 percent (Rockford, Ill. area) and 17 percent (Kankakee, Ill. area). 

LaTour (1991) noted that public-supply conveyance systems are under pressure and water is typically lost, not gained; 

but when conveyance systems are not adequately pressurized 

(when water-main breaks are being repaired, for example) they 

may gain water. LaTour (1991) also estimated sewer-conveyance gains (inflow and infiltration) by determining the difference between sewage-treatment returns and releases but stated 

that unrecognized releases or significant meter errors could 

result in erroneous estimates. The sewer conveyance gains for 

the Rockford and Kankakee, Ill., areas were 35 percent of the 

public-supply withdrawals. 

Lee, D.H., ed., 1993, Basis of comparison—Great LakesSt. Lawrence River system: Ann Arbor, Mich., National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes 

Environmental Research Laboratory, NOAA Technical 

Memorandum ERL GLERL–79, 119 p. 

Consumptive-use data for the basins of the individual 

Great Lakes are included in this document, which describes 

a 90-year set of lake levels and flows developed as a basis of 

comparison for future regulation plans. This document defines 

consumptive use of water as “that portion of water withdrawn 

or withheld from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system 

and assumed to be lost due to evaporation during use, transpiration from irrigated crops, leakage, incorporation into 

manufactured products, or similar occurrences during use.” 

Other factors defining the hydraulic regime are diversion rates 

into and out of the system, “time series of water supplies to the 

system, outlet conditions of each lake, flow retardation due to 

ice or weeds in connecting channels, initial starting elevations 

for the simulation, and the hydraulic condition of the St. Lawrence River and tidal levels at its outlet.” Consumptive use is 

referred to as “a small but significant component of the water 

balance of the Great Lakes” (p. 2). 

[Modified from Lee (1993, table 2). Consumptive use is in cubic feet per 

second.] 

1989 Basin Rounded value consumptive use 

Lake Superior 128 100 

Lake Michigan 893 900 

Lake Huron 256 300 

Lake St. Clair 184 200 

Lake Erie 714 700 

Lake Ontario 342 300 

St. Lawrence River 325 300 

Loper, C.A., Lent, S.D., and Wetzel, K.L., 1989, Withdrawals and consumptive use of water in Pennsylvania, 1984: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 88–4095, 50 p. 

Total water withdrawal in Pennsylvania in 1984 was 

14,033.66 Mgal/d, of which 729.53 Mgal/d was from ground 

water and 13,304.12 Mgal/d was from surface water. Thermoelectric power generation accounted for 71 percent of total 

withdrawal, followed by self-supplied industry, 15 percent; 

public supply, 11 percent; and mining, supplied domestic 

use, livestock and poultry, and irrigation (collectively) about 

3 percent. Consumptive use was computed for public supply, 

self-supplied domestic use, irrigation, and livestock by use 

of coefficients. Mining, power generation, and self-supplied 
 97 

industry consumptive-use estimates were compiled from estimates received from facilities. For the industrial facilities that 

did not have facility estimates, consumptive-use totals were 

computed by use of Standard industrial Classification codes. 

The percentage of consumptive use to self-supplied withdrawals varied by county and hydrologic unit code (HUC). The 

table that follows lists derived consumptive-use coefficients 

based on withdrawal and consumption amounts tabulated in 

the report. The self-supplied industry coefficient of 9 percent 

might be artificially high because some of the facilities used 

both self-supplied and public-supplied water. 

Public supply 10 percent 

Self-supplied domestic use 10 percent consumptive-use 

factor multiplied by the total 

withdrawals to obtain consumptive use for individual 

counties 

Agriculture: 

Irrigation 100 percent 

Livestock 75 percent 

Self-supplied industry 9 percent 

Mining 13.5 percent 

Power generation: 

Thermoelectric 1.7 percent 

Hydroelectric 0 

“Water consumed through evaporation or incorporation into a manufactured product totaled 615.22 Mgal/d. 

Self-supplied industry was responsible for 30 percent of total 

consumptive use followed by power generation (28 percent), 

public supply (26 percent), livestock (10 percent), mining 

(3 percent), self-supplied domestic use (2 percent), and irrigation (less than 1 percent)” 

(p. 48). 

Ludlow, R.A., and Gast, W.A., 2000, Estimated water withdrawals and use in Pennsylvania, 1995: U.S. Geological 

Survey Fact Sheet 174–99, 4 p. 

This fact sheet gives a brief summary of Pennsylvania’s 

water use, by category. Most of the data used by the USGS are 

collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental 

Protection (DEP), which receives annual reports of water use 

and consumptive use from public suppliers, power-generation 

facilities, and some industries. In addition, the DEP surveys 

other industrial, commercial, and mining facilities on a cyclical schedule. Consumptive use is one of the statistics compiled 

in each category. Irrigation and livestock are computed by the 

authors (Russ Ludlow, USGS, oral commun, October 5, 2006). 

The fact sheet includes a graphic (fig. 1) showing amounts of 

consumptive use and total use (self-supplied plus public-supply deliveries). Those data and the derived consumptive-use 

coefficients are the following: 

Annotated Bibliography 

[Modified from Ludlow and Gast (2000). Water consumed and withdrawn are 

in million gallons per day (Mgal/d). Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Industrial 158 1,870 8.4 

Irrigation 15.9 15.9 100 

Mining 14.0 182 7.7 

Commercial 11.5 247 4.6 

Public supply 5741 1,550 37 

Domestic 74.0 740 10 

Livestock 41.0 55.3 74 

Thermoelectric power 239 5,930 4 

1

 Public use and losses. 

MacKichan, K.A., 1957—See listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

MacKichan, K.A, and Kammerer, J.C., 1961—See listing 

under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Marcuello, Conchita, and Lallana, Concha, 2003, Water 

exploitation index: European Environment Agency, 

accessed May 24, 2006, at http://themes.eea.europa.eu/ 

Specific_media/water/indicators/WQ01c%2C2003.1001/ 

WEI_101003v2.pdf 

This document includes consumption and exploitation 

indexes in European countries. The water consumption index 

is the total water consumed divided by the long-term freshwater resources of a country. Indexes ranged from about 0 for 

Iceland to about 27 percent for Cyprus, with an average of 3 

percent. The water exploitation index (WEI) or withdrawal 

ratio is the mean annual total withdrawal of freshwater divided 

by the long-term average freshwater resources. The exploitation index is used to classify countries as non-stressed (less 

than 10 percent), low-water stress (between 10 and 20 percent), or water stressed (greater than 20 percent). Cyprus, 

Malta, Italy, and Spain have 18 percent of Europe’s population and are considered water stressed. For this assessment, it 

was assumed that the consumptive use was 80 percent of the 

total water withdrawals for agriculture, 20 percent for urban 

use, 20 percent for industry, and 5 percent for energy production. The authors note that these consumptive use coefficients 

are “widely accepted, though they may vary by about 5 to 

10 percent depending on the sectors and other factors.” As an 

example, actual consumption of water for agriculture depends 

on climate, crops, and irrigation methods. 

Medalie, Laura, 1996, Wastewater collection and return 

flow in New England, 1990: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 95–4144, 79 p. 

A compilation of state and drainage-basin site-specific 

data on municipal wastewater-collection systems, municipal 

wastewater-treatment facilities, and municipal wastewater 

return, this document is a source of information for state 

and municipal planners. For some facilities that did not have 

return-flow data, return-flow amounts were estimated by 
98 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

multiplying the per capita water-use coefficient of 65 gal/d 

and the population served. The per capita water-use coefficient was determined by taking the average self-supplied per 

capita domestic use of 76 gal/d in New England and subtracting 14 percent for consumptive use (p. 11; Solley and others, 

1993). 

Medalie, Laura, 1997a, Estimated water withdrawals and 

use in Vermont, 1995: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 97–4178, 14 p. 

Water withdrawals by county and by Hydrologic Unit 

Code for Vermont are tabulated for 1995 in this document. 

Although the report does not present consumptive-use information, it states that “about 90 percent of the water used for 

irrigation is lost through evapotranspiration” (p. 11) and cites 

the University of Vermont Cooperative Extension as a source. 

Medalie, Laura, 1997b, Estimated water withdrawals and 

use in New Hampshire, 1995: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 97–4177, 13 p. 

Water withdrawals by county and by Hydrologic Unit 

Code for New Hampshire are tabulated for 1995 in this document. Although the report does not present consumptive-use 

information, it states that “about 90 percent of the water used 

for irrigation is lost through evapotranspiration” (p. 9) and 

cites the University of Vermont Cooperative Extension as a 

source. 

Mullaney, J.R., 2004, Water use, ground-water recharge 

and availability, and quality of water in the Greenwich 

area, Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester 

County, New York, 2000–2002: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4300, 64 p. 

This document reports on a detailed study of the wealthy 

Greenwich area of Connecticut and New York, which may be 

atypical of the rest of the two states in its apparently greater 

residential use of water: 113–416 gal/person/d, depending on 

residential lot size, in contrast to an estimated 76 gal/person/d 

statewide. Public-supply data were used to develop regression 

models for estimating ground-water withdrawals for yearround, summer, and winter water use on self-supplied lots; 

model variables included unforested area, swimming-pool 

size, and total footprint of buildings. Detailed water-use estimates are tabulated for 32 zones (small basins) in the Greenwich area. Also estimated was return flow of public-supply 

water via septic systems. Consumptive water use was estimated to be the outdoor water use “by subtracting the winter 

water-use data from the average daily water use.” 

Consumptive use for Greenwich properties with public supply 

averaged 20 percent, consistent with previously published 

estimates for Connecticut (in Solley, 1998); the median was 

19 percent, and the interquartile range was from 3 to 39 percent. A higher coefficient—29 percent—was estimated by use 

of the regression models. 

Murray, C.R., 1968—See listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ 

near the end of this section. 

Murray, C.R. and Reeves, E.B., 1972—See listing under 

‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Murray, C.R. and Reeves, E.B., 1977—See listing under 

‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

National Land and Water Resources Audit Australia, 

2001, 1985 review of Australia’s water resources and 

water use: Accessed May 24, 2006, at http://www.nlwra. 

gov.au/archive/full/20_products/05_by_subject/10_water_ 

resources_and_mgt/00_Water_Review_1985/10_water_use/ 

water_use.html 

Included in this fact sheet are maps showing the gross 

water consumed in Australia by total water, surface-water 

resources, and ground-water resources. Maps of drainage 

basins in Australia are color coded to show the water consumed (in gigaliters) between July 1, 1983, and June 30, 1984. 

Gross water consumed is defined as the “water supplied that 

was not returned to a stream or body of fresh water or diverted 

for use a second time (reclaimed water). It is the difference 

between gross water supplied and return flow plus reclaimed 

water.” 

Nawyn, J.P., 1997, Water use in Camden County, New 

Jersey, 1991: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

97–12, 39 p. 

The study described in this report examined water use 

(from withdrawal to return flow) during 1991 in Camden 

County, N.J. “Coefficients of consumptive water use that were 

developed in other studies were modified and applied to data 

on water users in Camden County” (p. 10). Consumptive use 

was estimated by use of coefficients for both publicly supplied 

and self-supplied water. Coefficients of consumptive use by 

category of water use—public supply, domestic, commercial, 

industrial, irrigation, and mining—are given for all water users 

in the county. Per capita use of domestic users also was computed. For public-supply facilities, 12 percent of withdrawal 

was unaccounted for by facilities that submitted a report. 

Because of unusually high losses in one public-supply facility, 

unaccounted-for water was estimated to be 10 percent (instead 

of 12 percent) of water deliveries for public suppliers who did 

not submit a report. 
 99 

[Modified from Nawyn (1997). Distributed water/withdrawals and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is in percent.] 

Category 

of use Coefficient Distributed water/withdrawals 

Consumptive 

use 

Public-supply deliveries 

Domestic 18 44 8 

Commercial 4 9 <1 

Industrial 8 1 <1 

Public water 20 3 1 

use1 

Total NA 57 9 

Self-supply withdrawals 

Domestic 20 2 <1 

Commercial 4 NA <1 

Industrial 90 2 2 

Irrigation 90 2 2 

Mining 8 1 <1 

Total NA 10 3 

1

Does not include distribution losses or bulk sales to other public suppliers. 

Neff, B.P., and Killian, J.R., 2003, The Great Lakes water 

balance—Data availability and annotated bibliography 

of selected references: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 02–4296, 37 p. 

Although this document does not specifically list consumptive-use coefficients, it includes references to published and 

agency sources of consumptive-use information. 

Neff, B. P., and Nicholas, J.R., 2005, Uncertainty in the 

Great Lakes water balance: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5100, 42 p. 

In this report, the water balance of the Great Lakes hydrologic system is discussed. Because consumptive use is a small 

component of the overall water balance, it is not addressed in 

this document; however, readers are referred to chapter 3 of 

the Great Lakes Commission report (2003; p. 19). 

Nimiroski, M.T., and Wild, E.C., 2005, Water use and 

availability in the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck 

River Basins, north-central Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5031, 

43 p. 

Withdrawal, use, and return-flow data were collected for 

the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck River Basins in northcentral Rhode Island. This study used a consumptive use coefficient of 10 percent for commercial and industrial categories 

(tables 6 and 9, p. 11 and 25; Solley and others, 1998). For the 

basin, the domestic public-supplied and self-supplied domestic 

consumptive-use coefficient was 15 percent (Solley and others, 1998). The agricultural (livestock, crop irrigation and golf 

course irrigation) consumptive use coefficient was assumed to 

be 100 percent. The authors noted that Horn and others (1994) 

had a specific coefficient for livestock, but they did not use 

Annotated Bibliography 

this coefficient because of negligible livestock water use in the 

study area. 

Ohlsson, Leif, 1997, Water scarcity and conflict: University 

of Göteborg, Sweden, 25 p., accessed May 1, 2006, at 

http://www.padrigu.gu.se/ohlsson/files/Bonn97.pdf 

As part of this document, water use is discussed by 

category and sector (p. 4). The largest water user in terms 

of global water withdrawals is agriculture at 65–70 percent, 

followed by industrial withdrawals at 20–25 percent, followed 

by domestic water use at 5–10 percent. For agriculture, 65 percent of total withdrawal is considered consumptive use (from 

Postel and others, 1996); for industrial and domestic use, the 

coefficients are 9 percent and 17 percent, respectively (p. 4). It 

should be noted that the actual water consumed in agriculture 

varies by water-use efficiency, climate, and types of harvests. 

Paulson, R.W., Chase, E.B., and Carr, J.E., 1988, Water 

supply and use in the United States—U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Summary 1987 in Waterstone, 

Marvin, and Burt, J.R., eds., Proceedings of the Symposium on Water-Use Data for Water Resources Management, Tucson, Ariz., August 28–31, 1988: Bethesda, Md., 

American Water Resources Association, p. 41–49. 

This paper is a general overview of the U.S. Geological 

Survey 1987 National Water Summary, which was focused on 

the source, use, and disposition of water in the United States. 

In a diagram citing the U.S. Geological Survey National Water 

Data Storage and Retrieval System, this document shows 

consumption-to-withdrawal rates of 19.5 percent of domestic 

and commercial water use, 16 percent for industrial-mining, 

3.3 percent for thermoelectric power generation, and 53.9 percent for irrigation. 

Pebbles, Victoria, 2003a, Consumptive use in the Great 

Lakes Region and Basin—Annotated bibliography of 

selected references: Ann Arbor, Mich., Great Lakes 

Commission, 10 p. 

Narrower in geographic scope than the current bibliography, this document reports consumptive-use coefficients in 

some of its annotations and served as a starting point for the 

current bibliography. In all, 27 publications and data sources 

are described. 

Pebbles, Victoria, 2003b, Measuring and estimating 

consumptive use of the Great Lakes water: Ann Arbor, 

Mich., Great Lakes Commission, prepared in cooperation with the Water Withdrawal Subcommittee of the 

Water Resources Decision Support System Project, 18 p. 

The purpose of this document was to describe the “current state of knowledge of consumptive use of water in the 

Great Lakes basin” as background for development of a 

decision-support system for water-resources management. 

It is based on a bibliography compiled by the author (see 

preceding listing), informal interviews and correspondence 

with water experts in the region, and results of a 2002 Great 

Lakes Commission (GLC) survey of the states and provinces 
100 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

within the basin regarding consumptive-use information and 

estimating methods. The author begins by listing varied definitions of consumptive use over time and by different agencies, 

then follows with brief descriptions of estimating methods, 

comparisons of consumptive-use coefficients used by the 

USGS and the GLC, comparisons of USGS and GLC wateruse categories and estimating procedures and consumptiveuse reporting by jurisdictions, and recommended actions for 

consumptive-use estimating, calculating, and reporting. Of 

particular interest are a small summary table listing ranges of 

USGS consumptive-use coefficients in the 1985–95 water-use 

circulars (p. 5) and a large table listing ranges of coefficients 

by water-use category and jurisdiction (USGS included); the 

latter table is reproduced in this report as appendix table 3–1. 

An interesting side note is a discussion of how a general coefficient of 6.8 percent for all types of self-supplied industry 

in Ontario was largely substantiated by aggregating facilitymeasured data (p. 11). 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, 

Office of Resources Management, 1975–83, The State 

Water Plan: 20 v. [Planning Principles document plus 

19 reports on individual subbasins]. 

Each individual subbasin volume of this series contains a 

table listing water withdrawals (surface water, ground water, 

and total), interbasin-transfer losses, and consumptive losses 

for 1970 (known or estimated), plus projections for 1980 

and 1990. Consumptive-use coefficients used across the 

board were 10 percent for municipal, 100 percent for irrigation (including golf course), 75 percent for livestock, and 

10 percent for “other self-supplied institutions.” For mineral 

industries, manufacturing, and power production, however, 

consumptive-loss figures were varied and appear to have been 

based on reported data. Data for the 20 subbasins are tabulated below for these latter categories. Ranges of coefficients 

(in percent) are mineral industries, 5.0–17.6 (with a median 

of 8.1); manufacturing, 6.2–11.4 (with a median of 7.5); and 

power, <0.1–8.6 (with a median of 1.23). 

[Modified from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (1975–1983). Wdl, total withdrawal, in million gallons per day; CL, consumptive losses, 

in million gallons per day; Coef, coefficient (CL/Wdl × 100)] 

Type of use 

Subbasin 1 

Wdl CL Coef Wdl 

Subbasin 2 

CL Coef 

Subbasin 3 

Wdl CL Coef 

Subbasin 4 

Wdl CL Coef 

Mineral 3.926 0.225 5.7 27.75 1.925 6.9 11.25 0.896 8.0 0.510 0.028 5.5 

Manufacturing 

Power 

3.752 

485.8 

0.374 

2.800 

10 

0.6 

650.2 

0 

43.97 

0 

6.8 

-­

0.369 

0 

0.026 

0 

7.0 

-­

23.03 

0 

1.666 

0 

7.2 

-­

Type of use 

Subbasin 5 

Wdl CL Coef Wdl 

Subbasin 6 

CL Coef 

Subbasin 7 

Wdl CL Coef 

Subbasin 8 

Wdl CL Coef 

Mineral 15.26 1.165 7.6 17.94 1.425 7.9 32.22 2.117 6.6 0.301 0.053 17.6 

Manufacturing 23.20 1.757 7.6 0.887 0.068 7.7 96.65 6.594 6.8 0.486 0.031 6.4 

Power 120.9 1.397 1.2 291.0 2.100 0.7 1119 7.855 0.7 425.2 3.100 0.7 

Subbasin 9 Subbasin 10 Subbasin 11 Subbasin 12 

Type of use Wdl CL Coef Wdl CL Coef Wdl CL Coef Wdl CL Coef 

Mineral 1.300 0.087 6.7 0.249 0.014 5.6 0.691 0.048 6.9 9.578 0.519 5.4 

Manufacturing 32.58 3.124 9.6 1.954 0.137 7.0 10.21 0.790 7.7 27.54 1.770 6.4 

Power 44.70 0.030 0.1 0 0 -- 84.67 0.667 0.8 0 0 -­

Type of use 

Subbasin 13 

Wdl CL Coef Wdl 

Subbasin 14 

CL Coef 

Subbasin 15 

Wdl CL Coef 

Subbasin 16 

Wdl CL Coef 

Mineral 1.626 0.165 10.1 0 0 -­ 0.020 0.001 5.0 2.999 0.156 5.2 

Manufacturing 0.915 0.070 7.6 0 0 -­ 36.14 2.762 7.6 42.95 4.880 11.4 

Power 0 0 -­ 0 0 -­ 299.9 0.155 0.052 89.00 0.210 0.2 

Type of use 

Subbasin 17 

Wdl CL Coef Wdl 

Subbasin 18 

CL Coef 

Subbasin 19 

Wdl CL Coef 

Subbasin 20 

Wdl CL Coef 

Mineral 2.280 0.191 8.4 8.201 0.824 10.0 3.626 0.638 17.6 6.273 0.414 6.6 

Manufacturing 94.83 6.783 7.1 481.3 29.91 6.2 1651 102.0 6.2 726.2 46.28 6.4 

Power 235.2 20.16 8.6 855.4 16.65 1.9 1688 7.43 0.4 1011 0.200 0.02 
Annotated Bibliography 101 

Postel, Sandra, 1996, Dividing the waters—Food security, 

ecosystem health, and the new politics of scarcity: Washington D.C., Worldwatch Paper 132, 76 p. 

This book is a blueprint for using water more efficiently, 

sharing water equitably, and protecting freshwater ecosystems. 

This document includes estimated demand and estimated 

consumption by water-use sector for the world in 1990 from 

Postel and others (1996). For agriculture, the consumption 

was 1,870 cubic kilometers per year (km3/yr) of a demand of 

2,880 km3/yr, yielding a consumption coefficient of 65 percent. For industrial uses, the consumption was 90 km3

/yr of a 

demand of 975 km3/year, yielding a consumption coefficient 

of 10 percent. For municipalities, the consumption was 

50 km3/year of a demand of 300 km3/yr, yielding a consumption coefficient of 17 percent. Also, reservoir losses constituted both a consumption and demand of 275 km3

/yr, yielding, 

in effect, a consumption coefficient of 100 percent (table 2, 

p. 14). 

Postel, S.L., Daily, G.C., and Ehrlich, P.R., 1996, Human 

appropriation of renewable fresh water: Science, v. 271, 

no. 5250, p. 785–788. 

This article includes an estimate of how much of Earth’s 

renewable water is realistically accessible to humans; the 

portion of the renewable water that humans use, divert, or 

appropriate; and the likely expansion of human access to 

freshwater in the next 30 years (p. 785). Currently, humans 

use 26 percent of the total. As part of this analysis, the document includes estimated use and estimated consumption by 

water-use sector for the world for 1990. For agriculture, the 

consumption was 1,870 cubic kilometers per year (km3/yr) 

of a demand of 2,880 km3/yr with a consumption coefficient 

of 65 percent (p. 787, table 4). For industrial uses, the consumption was 90 km3

/yr of demand of 975 km3/year with a 

consumption coefficient of 10 percent. For municipalities, 

the consumption was 50 km3/year of a demand of 300 km3/yr 

with a consumption coefficient of 17 percent. Reservoir losses 

had both a consumption and demand of 275 km3/yr with a 

consumption coefficient of 100 percent (p. 787, table 4). Also 

of interest is the statement that humans now use “26 percent 

of total terrestrial evapotranspiration and 54 percent of runoff 

that is geographically and temporally accessible. Increased use 

of evapotranspiration will confer minimal benefits globally 

because most land suitable for rain-fed agriculture is already 

in production. New dam construction could increase accessible 

runoff by about 10 percent over the next 30 years, whereas 

population is projected to increase by more than 45 percent 

during that period” (p. 785). 

Quan, C.K., 1988, Water use in the domestic nonfuel 

minerals industry: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information 

Circular 9196, 62 p. 

Nonfuel mineral industries were canvassed, and the 

information gathered is presented in this report. Appendix B, tables B–1 and B–5 (p. 39, 42) list number of 

respondents; appendix C, tables C–1 and C–7 (p. 46, 52) 

list water consumed by type of metal and by state. With 

this information, as well as the amount of new water that is 

withdrawn, consumptive-use coefficients were computed. 

(See table that follows this entry.) Also of interest are tables 

listing water use by short ton of crude ore produced and 

water use per dollar of mined production. For the Great 

Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New 

York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin), the mean consumptive use was 20 percent of the water withdrawn, and the 

range of consumptive-use coefficients was 14–34 (table 

C–7, p. 52). For the 16 climatically similar states (Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North 

Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, 

West Virginia), the consumptive-use coefficient was 30 

percent, but this figure is skewed by two states, New Jersey 

and West Virginia, that had high coefficients of 86 and 55, 

respectively (table C–7, p. 52). Consumptive-use figures for 

both states were based on a small number of facilities that 

reported water use, 9 and 15, respectively (table B–6, p. 43), 

so inaccurate reporting or an unusual type of facility mining 

process could be skewing the consumptive-use coefficient. 

Omitting these two states, the consumptive-use coefficient 

for the climatically similar states is 22 percent. If only New 

Jersey is omitted, the coefficient is 23 percent. 
102 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

[Modified from Quan (1988). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that 

was consumed (computed from the total withdrawn and water discharged numbers).] 

Water Water Respondents with Commodity Coefficient Respondents withdrawn consumed water use 

Metals 

Copper 81,460 62,590 77 20 18 

Gold: 

Lode 6,220 4,240 68 27 21 

Placer 3,490 250 7 17 13 

Iron ore 67,740 10,720 16 19 12 

Lead 2,500 30 1 10 8 

Silver 2,490 1,010 41 16 14 

Uranium-vanadium 6,980 1,020 15 55 24 

Zinc 2,400 510 21 11 9 

Other metals 6,250 2,480 40 21 12 

Metal total 179,530 82,850 46 196 131 

Nonmetals 

Clays 22,600 7,790 34 181 48 

Diatomite 520 520 100 5 5 

Feldspar 1,430 350 24 10 10 

Gypsum 560 530 95 47 10 

Magnesium compounds 960 0 0 5 4 

Mica, scrap 1,140 410 36 4 4 

Phosphate rock 117,690 60,850 52 35 28 

Potash 4,400 2,160 49 8 7 

Salt 

Evaporated 22,580 1,990 9 23 19 

Rock 3,570 170 5 13 4 

Salt in brine 6,310 6,310 100 25 18 

Sand and gravel 

Construction 100,500 32,780 33 10 9 

Industrial 23,710 16,090 68 41 37 

Sodium carbonate, natural 9,480 5,920 62 6 6 

Stone, crushed 64,960 19,320 30 1,443 683 

Sulfur, Frasch 7,550 2,000 26 6 6 

Other nonmetals 3,510 2,710 77 52 33 

Nonmetal total 391,470 159,900 41 1,894 931 

Grand total 571,000 242,750 43 2,090 1,062 
Annotated Bibliography 103 

[Modified from Quan (1988, table C–7). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn 

that was consumed (computed from the total withdrawn and water discharged 

numbers)] 

Total Water State Coefficient withdrawn consumed 

Great Lake States 

Illinois 13,610 4,590 34 

Indiana 3,660 730 20 

Michigan 26,910 3,740 14 

Minnesota 65,000 11,420 18 

New York 18,200 4,050 22 

Ohio 9,220 2,540 28 

Pennsylvania 11,240 2,280 20 

Wisconsin 2,820 830 29 

GL States, mean 150,660 30,180 20 

Climatically Similar states to the Great Lake States 

Connecticut 1,140 300 26 

Delaware 260 40 15 

Iowa 2,650 640 24 

Kentucky 1,850 380 21 

Maine 1,030 340 33 

Maryland 2,380 820 34 

Massachusetts 2,500 640 26 

Missouri 7,630 1,080 14 

New Hampshire 730 240 33 

New Jersey 8,670 7,420 86 

North Carolina 27,320 7,060 26 

Rhode Island 220 60 27 

Tennessee 14,960 1,650 11 

Vermont 490 160 33 

Virginia 2,280 940 41 

West Virginia 1,330 730 55 

States mean 75,440 22,500 30 

Shiklomanov, I.A., and Rodda, J.C., 2003, World water 

resources at the beginning of the 21st century: Cambridge 

U.K., Cambridge University Press [for] UNESCO, 435 p. 

This comprehensive volume includes data on global 

water resources, water use, and water availability, by continent. Water use for domestic (urban and rural) was based on 

population totals, changes in population totals, and per capita 

use of water. Consumption of water was from published data 

and country analogues (38). Water consumption for irrigation ranged from 50 to 90 percent and varied by country and 

region, depending on physiographic conditions and irrigation 

techniques employed. Irrigation-water assessments were made 

by analyzing population, area irrigated by years (including specific values), and the annual gross national product 

expressed in U.S. dollars per capita from 1960 to 1994. Water 

abstracted and consumed was determined from national estimates or country analogues (p. 38). Industrial water use was 

determined by available industrial water use data or was calculated from industrial production trends in different regions 

(p. 39). 

For Europe, industrial consumption (including thermal 

power production, processing, and mining) was 11 percent of 

withdrawals (p. 55), domestic consumption was about 12 percent (p. 58), and agricultural consumption was about 70 percent (p. 59). Also of interest are assessments of water use and 

consumptive use by type of economic activity in Europe, by 

region, and by economic activity for the regions of Europe. 

For parts of Asia, South America, Australia, Africa, and the 

world as a whole, water use and consumptive use are shown 

by regions and by water-use category. Unfortunately, the document is not segmented by both region and water-use category 

such that data for countries climatically similar to the Great 

Lakes region could be reviewed. 

For Africa, water consumption in agriculture is largest 

(75–90 percent) in the developed countries in the northern 

and southern parts of the continent and in exceptionally dry 

countries in the Sahel and western Africa (South Africa, p. 

191–192); in the central region, agriculture consumption coefficients are 65–70 percent (p. 192). For North America, there 

are three regions—south (Mexico), central (contiguous United 

States), and northern (Canada and Alaska) (p. 237)—and data 

are presented by region and water-use category. Also of interest are water-use forecasts for 2000, 2010, and 2025. 

The consumptive-use coefficients for the Shiklomanov and Rodda report are summarized in appendix 4 

(tables 4-1–4-6) of this report. 

Sholar, C.J., 1988, Water use in Kentucky, 1985, with 

emphasis on the Kentucky River Basin, in Waterstone, 

Marvin, and Burt, J.R., eds., Proceedings of the Symposium on Water-Use Data for Water Resources Management, Tucson, Ariz., August 28–31, 1988: Bethesda, Md., 

American Water Resources Association, p. 85–92. 

This paper presents 1985 water-use data for eight major 

water-use categories in Kentucky and the Kentucky River 

Basin. The total amount of consumptive use in 1985 was 

260 Mgal/d for Kentucky (p. 85). For public-supply systems, 

10 percent of the public-supply deliveries was either lost in 

the distribution systems or was used for public uses such as 

firefighting (p. 86). For the State, 4 percent of the water used 

in industry was consumed, and 3.6 percent of the water used 

for thermoelectric purposes was consumed. Most of the water 

consumed in the Kentucky River Basin was used for domestic, 

thermoelectric, and agricultural purposes. For domestic use in 

the Kentucky River Basin, 38 percent of the withdrawals were 
104 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

consumed (see table below); and for thermoelectric use, 5 percent of the withdrawals were consumed (see table below). For 

agricultural purposes, both livestock and irrigation, the water 

consumed was estimated to be “almost 10 Mgal/d” (p. 90) 

for withdrawals that totaled 9.85 Mgal/day (see table below); 

therefore, 95–100 percent of the agricultural water withdrawal 

was consumed. 

[Modified from Sholar (1988). Water withdrawn and water consumed in million gallon per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category 

Water 

withdrawn 

Water 

consumed Coefficient 

Public supply: 

Domestic 70.1 15.4 38 

Commercial 40.8 

Industrial 5.2 

Mining 37.7 

Thermoelectric Power 3.1 8 5 

generation 

Hydroelectric Power 153 0 0 

generation 

Agricultural 9.85 Almost 10 95-100 

Livestock 7.35 

Irrigation 2.5 

Sholar, C.J. and Lee, V.D., 1988, Water use in Kentucky, 

1985: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88–4043, 53 p. 

This report presents 1985 water-use data for eight major 

water-use categories in Kentucky by county. Included are 

withdrawals and consumptive use data that are collected and 

presented in the report. Some of these data are also given in 

the proceedings from a “Symposium on Water-Use Data for 

Water Resources Management” (Sholar, 1988). 

[Modified from Sholar and Lee (1988, tables 2– 8). Water withdrawn includes 

withdrawals and deliveries and is million gallons per day. Water consumed is 

also in million gallons per day. Consumptive use is in percent.] 

Water-use Water Water Consumptive 

category withdrawn consumed use 

Domestic 226.21 59.68 26 

Commercial 34.52 1.33 4 

Industrial 407.69 17.20 4 

Mining 25.37 .74 3 

Thermoelectric 3,407.39 123.52 4 

power 

generation 

Irrigation 7.67 7.33 96 

Livestock 50.17 50.17 100 

Sholar, C.J., and Wood, P.A., 1991, Evaluation of the 

drought susceptibility of water supplies used in the 

Kentucky River Basin in 1988: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 91–4105, 34 p. 

Of interest in this report is a table that ranks public-water 

facilities in the Kentucky River Basin by drought susceptibility. Another table includes method and frequency of leakdetection programs for public-supply facilities in the Kentucky 

River Basin. For public-supply systems, 21 percent of the 

withdrawals was either lost in the distribution system or used 

in public uses such as firefighting. 

Sholar, C.J., and Wood, P.A., 1995, Water use in Kentucky, 

1990: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95–4032, 51 p. 

This report contains detailed county-by-county and statewide analysis of water use including withdrawals, deliveries, 

and consumptive use. Data for public supply, commercial, 

industrial, mining, and power generation were compiled and 

estimated through a cooperative program between the USGS 

and the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Water. Irrigation (minus conveyance loss) and livestock withdrawals are assumed to be about 

100 percent consumed. Thermoelectric-power figures are particularly interesting in that they show consumptive use ranging 

from 0 to 85 percent of withdrawals and deliveries. 

[Modified from Sholar and Wood (1995). Water consumed and withdrawn is 

in million gallons per day. Consumptive use is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn1 Coefficient 

Domestic2 41.34 235.05 18 

Commercial 1.26 36.66 3 

Industrial 19.16 512.09 4 

Irrigation 11.50 10.94 95 

Livestock 32.85 32.85 100 

Mining 0.54 18.22 3 

Thermoelectric 203.15 3443.92 6 

power 

1

Withdrawals and deliveries.
 

2

 Self-supply plus public supply. Per capita use is 69.88 gal/d. 

Annotated Bibliography 105 

Snavely, D.S., 1986, Water-use data-collection programs 

and regional data base of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence 

River Basin states and provinces: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 86–546, 204 p. 

This compilation contains results from a detailed survey 

of state, provincial, and national agencies regarding water-use 

data collection, estimation, and reporting. The survey was 

a mandate of the Great Lakes Charter of 1985 and provided 

background for construction of a Great Lakes regional wateruse database. The second of the three main sections of the 

report describes water-use data-collection programs in each of 

the states and provinces, methods of estimation used by each 

for data categories for which records were unavailable, and 

inconsistencies among the respective programs at the time of 

writing. The report concludes with a comparison of database 

requirements and available data, as well as suggestions for 

future database refinements; among the suggestions are to 

“improve methods of estimation and techniques of collecting 

data and calculating consumptive use” and to”agree to some 

uniformity of methods within the region” (p. 58). 

Consumptive-use coefficients used or reported by each state 

are listed in the text and are too detailed and inconsistent for 

a short tabulation here. Also of interest in the report is a fullpage table of water-use coefficients by Standard Industrial 

Classification (SIC) code and state (table 7B, p. 188). 

Snavely, D.S., 1987, Great Lakes water-use data base— 

Planning for the 21st century: U.S. Geological Survey 

Yearbook, Fiscal Year 1987, p. 93–98. 

A synopsis of the Great Lakes Charter, Great Lakes 

Project, and the regional water-use database, this document 

includes a graph of percentages of total water withdrawals 

that are returned in Great Lakes data for 1983. This data were 

from U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1001 (Solley and others, 1983). For thermoelectric power, 99.7 percent of withdrawal was returned and 0.3 percent consumed. For domestic 

use, 73.7 percent was returned and 26.3 percent consumed. 

Livestock and irrigation categories had the smallest proportion of withdrawals returned, 8.3 percent and 3.3 percent, 

respectively; and the largest portion consumed, 91.7 percent 

and 96.7 percent, respectively (fig. 14, p. 96). For public water 

supply, 92.1 percent of withdrawals was returned and 7.9 

percent consumed. For industrial water use, 93.5 percent of 

withdrawals was returned and 6.5 percent consumed. Also of 

interest in this document is a pie chart of consumptive water 

use in the Great Lakes Basin in the United States in 1980. 

Industry, irrigation, and public water supply made up more 

than 80 percent of the consumptive use in the Great Lakes (fig. 

15, p. 96). 

[Modified from Snavely (1988). Data are as reported by the International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive Uses Study Board 

and the U.S. Geological Survey. Coefficient is the consumptive use as a percentage of the withdrawal; a dash indicates no data] 

Water-use 1975 1980 1985 

category Study Board2 USGS Study Board USGS Study Board USGS 

Manufacturing1 11 6.5 13 6.5 14 9.4 

Public water supply 11 13 11 8 11 -­

Thermoelectric 1.2 0.21 1.7 0.34 2.1 4.9 

power 

Irrigation 74 95 76 100 80 100 

Domestic3 60 21 64 27 62 74 

Livestock 100 93 100 92 100 88 

Totals 6.6 3.3 7.4 3.3 7.8 6.8 

1

 For manufacturing, the 1975 figures exclude mining, but the 1980 and 1985 figures include mining. 


2

 The Study Board coefficient is from the International Joint Commission.
 

3

 The USGS 1975 and 1980 domestic consumptive-use coefficients were based on only self-supplied water use, whereas the 1985 


consumptive-use coefficient represented both self-supplied and publicly supplied water use. 
106 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Snavely, D.S., 1988, Estimation, analysis, sources, and 

verification of consumptive water use data in the Great 

Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88–4146, 28 p. 

This document is a review of consumptive water-use 

data (withdrawals and consumptive use) and consumptive-use 

coefficients from the International Joint Commission (IJC), the 

International Great Lakes Diversions and Consumptive Uses 

Study Board (Study Board), and the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS). Reasons for discrepancies in consumptive water-use 

estimates are discussed, as well as methods that could be used 

for future consumptive-use data compilation. Also as part of 

this report, the USGS analyzed the data and computed a range 

of projected consumptive use from 1980 to 2000. From 1975 

to 1985, the Study Board’s overall consumptive use totals 

increased from 6.6 to 7.8 (p. 10), whereas the USGS’s overall 

consumptive-use total increased from 3.3 to 6.8 percent. The 

large increase in consumptive use for the USGS numbers 

could be attributed to an increase in percentage of water 

consumed, an increase in the accuracy of the USGS data, or a 

combination of both. Snavely states that the accuracy of USGS 

data improved in response to a more careful analysis of methods and use of reported data instead of estimated values. 

Solley, W.B., Chase, E.B., and Mann, W.B., 1983—See listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Solley, W.B., Merk, C.F., and Pierce, R.R., 1988—See listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A, 1993—See 

listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A., 1998—See 

listing under ‘USGS Circulars’ near the end of this section. 

Stevens, H.C., Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1984, Water 

use in West Virginia for 1981: West Virginia Geological 

and Economic Survey Circular C–33, 94 p. 

This comprehensive inventory of withdrawals and 

instream uses of water for 1981 in West Virginia includes 

data that are aggregated on the state, county, and Hydrologic 

Unit Code (HUC) levels. In cooperation with the USGS, the 

West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey compiled and 

computed data for this report from Federal, and state sources, 

as well as from water users for the thermoelectric power and 

industrial categories. Water-use data included withdrawal 

and return-flow data. In the following table are the waterwithdrawal and consumptive-use data that were reported in the 

document (p. 5) and the coefficients that were derived from 

the reported data. 

[Modified from Stevens and others (1984). Water consumed and water withdrawn are in million gallons per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Agriculture 6.031 6.03 100 

Industry - - -

Irrigation 4.421 4.42 100 

Mining discharge 0 101.92 0 

Public suppliers1 133.061 133.06 100 

Rural domestic 18.771 18.77 100 

Sewage treatment N/A 220.74 N/A 

Thermoelectric power 607.01 4,382.06 13.85 

1

Reported as “No water returned.” 

2 Water returned. Reported as “No water withdrawn.” Total exceeds reported 

withdrawals for public suppliers. 

Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1984, Water use in West 

Virginia in 1982: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Circular C–35, 96 p. 

This comprehensive inventory of withdrawal and 

instream uses of water for 1982 was compiled by the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey and the USGS. Data 

are summarized statewide and also by county and eight-digit 

hydrologic unit. Withdrawal and (or) return data are reported 

for withdrawal categories in the following table (coefficients 

computed from reported data). 

[Modified from Suder and Lessing (1984). Water consumed and water withdrawn are in million gallon per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Industry 27.9 783.62 3.56 

Irrigation 2.211 2.21 100 

Mining discharge 0 101.92 0 

Public suppliers1 103.911 103.91 100 

Rural domestic 18.771 18.77 100 

Sewage treatment N/A 181.552 N/A 

Thermoelectric power 436.20 4,089.55 10.7 

1

 Reported as “No water returned.” 

2 Water returned. Reported as “No water withdrawn.” Total exceeds reported 

withdrawals for public suppliers. 
 

Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1985, Water use in West 

Virginia in 1983: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Circular C–37, 95 p. 

This comprehensive inventory of withdrawals, return 

flows, and instream uses of water for 1983 in West Virginia 

includes data that are aggregated on the state, county, and 

Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) levels. Data for this report 

were compiled from Federal and state sources, as well as 

from water users for the thermoelectric power and industrial 

categories, by the West Virginia Geological and Economic 

Survey in cooperation with USGS. In the following table are 

the water-withdrawal and consumptive-use data reported in the 

document (p. 7) and the coefficients derived from the reported 

data. 

[Modified from Suder and Lessing (1985). Water consumed and water withdrawn are in million gallon per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Agriculture 5.861 5.86 100 

Industry 27.92 786.38 3.55 

Irrigation 3.641 3.64 100 

Mining discharge 0 101.92 0 

Public suppliers 103.761 103.76 100 

Rural domestic 18.771 18.77 100 

Sewage treatment2 N/A 161.20 N/A 

Thermoelectric power 691.48 4,303.92 16 

1

Reported as “No water returned.” 

2 Water returned. Reported as “No water withdrawn.” Total exceeds reported 

withdrawals for public suppliers. 

Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1986, Water use in West 

Virginia for 1984: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Circular C–39, 99 p. 

This comprehensive inventory of withdrawals, return 

flows, and instream uses of water for 1984 in West Virginia 

includes data aggregated on the state, county, and Hydrologic 

Unit Code (HUC) levels. Data for this report were compiled 

and computed from Federal and state sources, as well as 

from water users for the thermoelectric power and industrial 

categories, by the West Virginia Geological and Economic 

Survey in cooperation with USGS. In the following table are 

the water-withdrawal and consumptive-use data reported in 

the document (p. 10) and the coefficients computed from the 

reported data. 

Annotated Bibliography 107 

[Modified from Suder and Lessing (1986). Water consumed and water withdrawn are in million gallon per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Agriculture 5.981 5.98 100 

Industry 30.4 890.06 3.4 

Irrigation 3.641 3.64 100 

Mining discharge 0 101.92 0 

Public suppliers 101.78 101.78 100 

Rural domestic 18.771 18.77 100 

Sewage treatment2 N/A 191.40 N/A 

Thermoelectric power 571.47 4,487.36 12.7 

1

Reported as “No water returned.” 

2 Water returned. Reported as “No water withdrawn.” Total exceeds reported 

withdrawals for public suppliers. 

Suder, K.E., and Lessing, Peter, 1987, Water use in West 

Virginia for 1985: West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Circular C–41, 96 p. 

This comprehensive inventory of withdrawals, return 

flows, and instream uses of water for 1985 in West Virginia 

includes data aggregated by the state, county, and Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC). Data for this report were compiled 

and computed from Federal and state sources, as well as 

from water users for the thermoelectric power and industrial 

categories, by the West Virginia Geological and Economic 

Survey in cooperation with USGS. In the following table are 

the water-withdrawal and consumptive-use data reported in 

the document (p. 9) and the coefficients computed from the 

reported data. 

[Modified from Suder and Lessing (1987). Water consumed and water withdrawn are in million gallon per day. Coefficient is in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Consumed Withdrawn Coefficient 

Agriculture 9.681 9.68 100 

Industry 38.44 1,170.07 3.4 

Irrigation 2.521 2.52 100 

Mining discharge 0 101.92 0 

Public suppliers2 —2 308.452 N/A 

Rural domestic 18.771 18.77 100 

Sewage treatment2 233.32 —2 N/A 

Thermoelectric power 658.08 4,207.03 15.6 

1

Reported as “No water returned.” 

2

 For public suppliers, water withdrawn includes surface water distributed, 

surface water sold, ground-water distributed, ground water sold, and transfer 

water sold. It does not include transfer water purchased because this would be 

counting the transfer water twice. It was noted that no water was returned for 

public suppliers, and there were no withdrawals for sewage treatment. 
108 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Sweat, M.J., and Van Til, R.L., 1988, Water use and 

methods of data acquisition in Michigan, in Waterstone, 

Marvin, and Burt, J.R., eds., Proceedings of the Symposium on Water-Use Data for Water Resources Management, Tucson, Ariz., August 28–31, 1988: Bethesda, Md., 

American Water Resources Association, p. 133–141. 

A summary of water use in Michigan, this paper includes 

withdrawal and consumptive-use data for 1985 from Solley 

and others (1988). From this information, consumptive-use 

coefficients can be computed. For thermoelectric power 

generation, the consumptive-use coefficient was 1.3 percent, 

whereas for irrigation, the consumptive-use coefficient was 

96 percent (table 1, p. 35). For self-supplied industry and 

public supply, the consumptive-use coefficient was 10 percent 

(table 1, p. 35). 

[Modified from Table 1, p. 35 of Sweat and Van Til (1988). Water withdrawn 

and water consumed are in million gallons per day (Mgal/day). Coefficient is 

in percent.] 

Water-use 

category Withdrawn Consumed Coefficient 

Thermoelectric power 8,400 110 1.3 

generation 

Self-supplied industry 1,300 130 10 

Public supply 1,200 120 10 

Irrigation 240 230 96 

Tate, D.M., 1988, Industrial water use and structural 

change, in Waterstone, Marvin, and Burt, J.R., eds., 

Proceedings of the Symposium on Water-Use Data for 

Water Resources Management, Tucson, Ariz., August 

28–31, 1988: Bethesda, Md. American Water Resources 

Association, p. 601–608. 

As part of a study examining the effects on technological and structural change on industrial water use in Canada, 

water-intake and water-consumption data are presented in this 

paper for the agriculture, mineral extractions, manufacturing, 

thermal power, and trade water-use categories for Canada for 

5-year intervals from 1966 to 1976. Data in the following table 

are from Environment Canada surveys from the water-intake 

and water-consumption data and used to compute the coefficients included. 

[Modified from Tate (1988; table 1, p. 606). Water intake and consumption are 

in millions of cubic meters; coefficient is in percent.] 

Category Water 

intake 

Water 

consumption Coefficient 

1966 industrial water use 

Agriculture 3,193 2,285 72 

Mineral extraction 365 86 24 

Manufacturing 8,049 329 4 

Thermal power 6,559 71 1 

Trade 771 0 0 

Total 18,938 2,771 15 

1972 industrial water use 

Agriculture 2,855 2,043 72 

Mineral extraction 362 87 24 

Manufacturing 8,409 330 4 

Thermal power 9,320 101 1 

Trade 987 0 0 

Total 21,933 2,561 12 

1976 industrial water use 

Agriculture 3,299 2,369 72 

Mineral extraction 667 105 16 

Manufacturing 8,672 457 5 

Thermal power 13,163 160 1 

Trade 1,091 0 0 

Total 26,893 3,091 11 

Tate, Donald, and Harris, Jeff, 1999a, Water demands 

in the Canadian section of the Great Lakes Basin, 

1972–2021: Gaia Economic Research Associates, unpublished report to the Canadian Section, International 

Joint Commission, 57 p. 

This report presents and evaluates water-use data collected by Environment Canada and the Great Lakes Commission and forecasts trends in water use for the Canadian part 

of the Great Lakes Basin. The document gives a history of 

water-use data collection and forecasting in Canada, describes 

forecasting methodology, presents scenarios used to project 

water demand and the results of models, and summarizes principal conclusions of the research, including recommendations 

for future studies. For the forecasts, a structural, input-output 

model study was used to estimate water intake and consumption for scenarios of low, medium, and high economic growth, 

as well as scenarios representing high and low change in consumptive-use coefficients and a technological-change scenario. 

In this model, “coefficients” were water intake and consumption per million dollars of economic output, not a simple relation between water withdrawn and water consumed. Water-use 
Annotated Bibliography 109 

coefficients for the base period 1986–96 (in percent) were 

agriculture, 0.5; mineral extraction, 2.2; manufacturing, -2.1; 

and municipal, -1.9. Some traditional consumptive-use coefficients mentioned in the historical overview are 78–80 percent 

for agriculture (based on Great Lakes Commission data from 

1996), 20 percent for municipal (based on engineering estimates and Environment Canada survey results) and 0.09 percent for once-through thermoelectric power generation (based 

Environment Canada survey results), and 5 percent for manufacturing (1991 and 1996 water demand summaries, table 2.1). 

Of special interest is a series of detailed summary tables 

that present data by type of economic activity for the six Canadian water-use censuses between 1972 and 1996. Coefficients 

for each activity type for each census year can be derived from 

the withdrawal and consumption data presented; those tables 

are further summarized in the appendix, tables 4–1 and 4–2 of 

this report. 

Tate, Donald, and Harris, Jeff, 1999b, Water demands 

in the United States section of the Great Lakes Basin, 

1985–2020: GeoEconomics Associates, unpublished 

report to the United States Section, International Joint 

Commission, 57 p. 

A followup companion report to the preceding entry, this 

document describes a structural, input-output model study to 

estimate U.S. water intake and consumption for scenarios of 

low, medium, and high economic growth, as well as scenarios 

representing high and low change in consumptive-use coefficients and a conservation scenario. As in the model described 

above, “coefficients” were water intake and consumption 

per million dollars of economic output, not a simple relation 

between water withdrawn and water consumed. Water-use data 

used in the model were from the USGS water-use database for 

the years 1985, 1990, and 1995. Historical annual real growth 

rates for water consumption for the base period 1985–95 (in 

percent) were agriculture, 3.4; mineral extraction, -1.3; manufacturing, -1.0; municipal, -0.09; and thermal power, -1.3. 

Thompson, S.A., 1999, Water use, management, and planning in the United States: San Diego, Calif., Academic 

Press, 371 p. 

This comprehensive textbook covers historical, legal, 

economic, and technical aspects of water-resources development in the Nation. The chapter on offstream water use 

includes monthly consumptive-use coefficients for various 

crops in selected locations for use with the Blaney-Criddle 

method of estimating crop evapotranspiration. None of the 

locations, however, are near the Great Lakes; moreover, the 

coefficient is used in combination with air temperature and 

monthly daytime hours and does not represent a percentage of 

water withdrawal. 

Titus, E.O., Clawges, R.M., and Qualls, C.L., 1990, Estimated demand for agricultural water for irrigation use 

in New Jersey, 1990: U.S. Geological Survey Open-Filer 

Report 90–156, 23 p. 

“This report describes the results of an effort to estimate 

short-term consumptive demand for agricultural water for 

irrigation use in New Jersey in 1990” (p. 2). The focus of this 

report is consumptive demand for field-grown crops. This 

report does not examine greenhouse water use or nonconsumptive water use by crops. For example, cranberry bogs are 

considered a nonconsumptive water use. For the field-grown 

crops, the Thornthwaite method is used to compute the water 

deficit for irrigated crops. 

Todd, D.K., ed., 1970, The water encyclopedia: Port Washington, N.Y., Water Information Center, 559 p. 

This resource, as the name suggests, is a reference volume containing water data, facts, and statistics. Included in 

the consumptive-use sections of the reference are consumptive 

use by irrigated crops in the Western States, water requirements for farm animals and poultry, the 1965 USGS water-use 

data, water requirements for selected industries in the world, 

projected water requirements in the United States by the 

U.S. Water Resources Council, and a figure of use of water in 

an average home in Akron, Ohio. From the National Association of Manufacturers is a table with the percentage of water 

intake consumed by selected industries in the United States 

(reproduced below). 

[In Todd (1970; table 5-25, p. 263). Source: National 

Association of Manufacturers, data as of 1959.] 

Water consumption Industry (percent of intake) 

Automobile 6.2 

Beet sugar 10.5 

Chemicals 5.9 

Coal preparation 18.2 

Corn and wheat milling 20.6 

Distillery 10.4 

Food processing 33.6 

Machinery 21.4 

Meat 3.2 

Petroleum 7.2 

Poultry processing 5.3 

Pulp and paper 4.3 

Salt 27.6 

Soap and detergents 8.5 

Steel 7.3 

Sugar, cane 15.9 

Textiles 6.7 
110 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Torcellini, P., Long, N., and Judkoff, R., 2003, Consumptive water use for U.S. power production: Golden, Colo., 

U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, NREL/TP–550–33905, 12 p. 

This document present the results of a study of water consumed by thermoelectric and hydroelectric power production, 

including loss by evaporation from reservoirs, compiled as a 

basis for evaluating energy-saving versus water-use potential 

of evaporative cooling systems for buildings. The authors 

estimated a coefficient of 2.5 percent evaporation or consumptive-use rate for thermoelectric plants nationwide, amounting 

to 0.47 gal of water used for each kilowatt-hour of electricity 

consumed at the point of end use. For thermoelectric plants 

in the Eastern electrical grid interconnect (which includes 

the Great Lakes area), the rate is 0.49 gal/kWh. Water-use 

data—including thermoelectric consumptive-use figures—are 

from the USGS (Solley and others, 1998). Evaporative losses 

in reservoirs behind hydroelectric dams were computed by 

the authors. Water-consumption figures for Great Lakes and 

climatically similar states are as follows (reproduced from 

table 3, p. 5): 

[Modified from Torcellini and others (2003). Thermoelectric, hydroelectric, 

and weighted total are in gallons per kilowatt per hour.] 

State Thermoelectric Hydroelectric Weighted 

total 

Connecticut 0.08 N/A 0.07 

Delaware 0.01 N/A 0.01 

Illinois 1.05 N/A 1.05 

Indiana 0.41 N/A 0.41 

Iowa 0.12 N/A 0.11 

Kentucky 1.10 154.34 5.32 

Maine 0.29 N/A 0.12 

Maryland 0.03 6.72 0.21 

Massachusetts 0 N/A 0 

Michigan 0.50 N/A 0.48 

Minnesota 0.44 N/A 0.41 

Missouri 0.31 N/A 0.30 

New Hampshire 0.12 N/A 0.10 

New Jersey 0.07 N/A 0.07 

New York 0.85 5.57 1.62 

North Carolina 0.23 10.37 0.55 

Ohio 0.95 N/A 0.94 

Pennsylvania 0.54 N/A 0.53 

Rhode Island 0 N/A 0 

Tennessee 0 43.35 3.60 

Vermont 0.35 N/A 0.25 

Virginia 0.07 N/A 0.06 

West Virginia 0.59 N/A 0.58 

Wisconsin 0.49 136.96 4.15 

U.S. totals, 0.47 18.27 2.00 

weighted 

average 

Trotta, L.C., 1988, Water use for aquaculture in Minnesota, 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 88–4159, 6 p. 

This resource describes aquaculture in Minnesota for 

1984 and states that aquaculture withdrawals are nonconsumptive. The aquaculture withdrawals were small compared 

to withdrawals in other Minnesota water-use categories, and 

about 15 percent of the withdrawals for aquaculture came 

from municipal water systems (p. 4). Also of interest was one 

thermoelectric plant that began reusing water to raise catfish 

(p. 5). 

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1985, 1982 Census of mineral 

industries: Washington, D.C., Subject Series, Water Use 

in Mineral Industries: Washington, D.C., 32 p. 

This publication describes water by intake and discharge 

for the mineral industries by state, by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC), and by water-resource regions. From these 

values, general consumptive coefficients could be derived; 

however for many of the states, SIC codes, and regions, 

reported amounts of water discharged were greater than 

reported amounts of water withdrawn by intake. It was noted 

that this may be caused by mine water that is drained and discharged. Therefore, computing a representative consumptiveuse coefficient was not possible for the reported data. 

U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1986, 1982 Census of manufactures: Washington, D.C., Subject series, Water Use in 

Manufacturing, MC82–S–6, 72 p. 

This resource provides many tables on water information 

in industries in the United States in 1983. One table includes 

water-intake data and water-discharged data for major SIC 

codes 20 through 39 for the census years 1954, 1959, 1964, 

1968, 1973, 1978, and 1983 (table 1c, p. 6–6 to 6–8). Also 

published were water-use statistics for industry groups and 

industries. Of interest are 1983 water-use statistics for states 

(water-intake and water-discharged data in table 2b, p. 6–13 

to 6–17) and water-resource regions for the major SIC code 

groups (7c, p. 6–60 to 6–65). Table 2a includes a “Summary of 

Water Use Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries: 1983” 

(p. 6–8 to 6–13). The consumptive-use coefficients from the 

Census of Manufactures are summarized in Appendix 2 of this 

bibliography (tables 2–1 to 2–5). 
 

U.S. Business and Defense Services Administration, 1967, 

Water use by Appalachian manufacturers, 1964: Water 

Industries and Engineering Services Division, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, 60 p. 

Manufacturing in Appalachia accounted for 19 percent 

of the total water withdrawn for manufacturing in the United 

States in 1967 (p. vi). Although “Water use by Appalachian 

Manufacturers” includes withdrawal and discharge data, the 

data are from the “1963 Census of Manufactures.” Appendix B 

includes the U.S. Bureau of Census tables “Water Use by 

Manufacturers,” for both Appalachian and non-Appalachian 

areas (p. 33). The Appalachian area includes part of the states 

of Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, 

Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and 

West Virginia. 

For the total United States, 14,045 Ggal was withdrawn 

and 13,157 Ggal of water was discharged, yielding a consumptive-use coefficient of 6.3 percent (table 1, Appendix B, p. 34). 

For non-Appalachian areas, the manufacturing consumptiveuse coefficient was 6.6 percent (11,360 Ggal of water intake 

and 10,611 Ggal water discharged); and for Appalachia, the 

consumptive-use coefficient was 5.2 percent (2,686 Ggal water 

intake and 2,546 Ggal water discharged). Although many 

consumptive-use coefficients could be derived from these data, 

the U.S. Bureau of the Census (1986) reference includes more 

recent data and has a more thorough analysis. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research 

Service, Natural Resources and Environment Division, 

1994, Agricultural resources and environmental indicators: Washington, D.C., 205 p. 

In the section “Water Use and Pricing in Agriculture,” 

this report discusses water use as well as consumptive use. 

Most of the data referenced in this report are from the USGS 

(Solley and others, 1993). The percentage of the total withdrawals consumed varied by category: for irrigation, 56 percent of the withdrawals was consumed (p. 47), for public and 

rural supplies, 17 percent; for industrial other than thermoelectric, 16 percent; and for thermoelectric power, 3 percent 

(p. 47). Of interest are an illustration showing water consumption in irrigation and other uses by region (fig. 2.1.2, p. 49) 

and a table listing irrigation’s share of total consumptive use 

for states with major irrigation water use (table 2.1.1, p. 48). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research 

Service, Natural Resources and Environment Division, 

1997, Agricultural resources and environmental indicators, 1996–97, Washington, D.C., 347 p. 

In the section “Water Use and Pricing in Agriculture,” 

this report discusses water use as well as consumptive use. 

Most of the data referenced in this report are from the USGS 

(Solley and others, 1993). The percentage of the total withdrawals that consumed varied by category: for irrigation, 

Annotated Bibliography 111 

81 percent of the withdrawals was consumed; for public and 

rural supplies, 17 percent; for industrial other than thermoelectric, 16 percent; and for thermoelectric power, 3 percent 

(p. 70). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research 

Service, Natural Resources and Environment Division, 

2003, Agricultural resources and environmental indicators, 2003, Washington, D.C., 347 p. 

In the section “Water Use and Pricing in Agriculture,” 

this report discusses water use as well as consumptive use. 

Most of the data referenced in this report are from the USGS 

(Solley and others, 1998). The percentage of the total withdrawals consumed varied by category: for irrigation, 81 percent of the withdrawals was consumed; for public and rural 

supplies, 17 percent; for industrial other than thermoelectric, 

22 percent; and for thermoelectric power, 3 percent (p. 6). Of 

interest are some illustrations showing irrigated area by region 

for 1899, 1949, and 2000 (fig. 2.1.4, p. 9) and irrigated land in 

farms for 1949 and 1997 (figs. 2.1.6 and 2.1.7, p. 12). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural 

Statistics Service, 2001, 1998 Census of horticultural 

specialties: Accessed August 2, 2005, at http://www.nass. 

usda.gov/census/census97/horticulture/horticulture.htm 

The Web page displays links to the horticulture specialties 1997 census data, which include a table of “Operations 

by Percent of Water Recycled by State: 1998” (table 53). The 

table subdivides horticultural operations into those that do or 

do not recycle water, as well as notes whether the amounts of 

recycled water are in the ranges of 1–4 percent, 5–9 percent, 

10–24 percent, or 25 percent or more of water withdrawn or 

supplied. For the United States as a whole, 86 percent of the 

horticultural operations reported no recycling of water, and 

93 percent of the horticultural operations reported recycling 

less than 9 percent of water withdrawn or supplied. The Great 

Lakes States compared fairly reasonably to the National average, ranging from 78 to 90 percent of horticultural operations 

reporting no recycled water and from 91 to 97 percent of 

horticultural operations reporting less than 9 percent recycled 

water. 

U.S. Department of Energy, 2004, Year 2004 annual steamelectric plant operation and design data: Department 

of Energy Form EIA-767 data file: Accessed January 5, 

2006, at http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/ 

eia767.html 

From this Web page, spreadsheet files can be downloaded 

that include the average annual rate of cooling-water withdrawals, the average annual rate of cooling-water discharge, 

and the average annual rate of cooling-water consumption to 

the nearest 0.1 ft3

/s. Data for 2001, 2002, and 2003 also can be 

accessed through this Web page. 
 

 

112 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

USGS Circulars 

MacKichan, K.A., 1957, Estimated use of water in the 

United States, 1955: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 

398, 18 p. 

The USGS 1955 water-use circular includes state and 

regional water-withdrawal data for public-supply, rural, irrigation, self-supplied industrial, and fuel-electric power water-use 

categories. Water-use data (withdrawals and consumptive use) 

were compiled by USGS offices in each state and water-use 

project chiefs. For 1955, “only about a fourth of all withdrawn 

water was consumed” (p. 12). For public-supply consumptive use and the domestic fraction of rural use, approximately 

10 percent of water was consumed; a larger percentage was 

consumed in the summer because of lawn watering. For 

irrigation, about 60 percent of irrigation water was used by 

crops; however, if a sprinkler irrigation system was used, a 

much greater percentage of the water applied was transpired 

or evaporated. For self-supplied industrial use, only about 

2 percent of water used was consumed. The consumptiveuse coefficients from the USGS circulars are summarized in 

appendix tables 1–1 to 1–16 of this report. 

MacKichan, K.A, and Kammerer, J.C., 1961, Estimated 

use of water in the United States, 1960: U.S. Geological 

Survey Circular 456, 26 p. 

The USGS 1960 circular includes state and regional 

water-withdrawal and consumptive use data for the following water-use categories: public supply, rural use (domestic 

use and livestock use), irrigation, self-supplied industrial, 

and fuel-electric power. Water-use data (withdrawals and 

consumptive use) were compiled by USGS offices in each 

state and water-use project chiefs. For public water-supply 

systems, 17 percent of water withdrawn was consumed (p. 

3). Rural water use consisted of 2,000 Mgal/d withdrawals 

for domestic use, 1,200 Mgal/d or 60 percent of which was 

consumed; and 1,600 Mgal/d withdrawal for livestock, 1,500 

Mgal/d or 94 percent of which was consumed (table 4, p. 16). 

For irrigation, about 60 percent of the water withdrawn was 

consumed (p. 4). Fuel-electric power water use consumed less 

than 1 percent of the water withdrawn (p. 6). For industrial 

water use, approximately 8 percent of the water withdrawn 

was consumed (table 8, p. 20). For the contiguous United 

States, 20 percent of the total amount of water consumed was 

in the 31 Eastern States, and 80 percent of the water consumed 

was in the 17 Western States (fig. 6, p. 7). The consumptiveuse coefficients from the USGS circulars are summarized in 

appendix tables 1–1 to 1–16 of this report. 

Murray, C.R., 1968, Estimated use of water in the United 

States, 1965: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 556, 53 p. 

The USGS 1965 circular includes state and regional 

water-withdrawal data for public-supply, rural, irrigation, 

industrial, thermoelectric-power, and hydroelectric-power 

water-use categories. Water-use data (withdrawals and consumptive use) were compiled by USGS offices in each state 

and water-use project chiefs. It also includes trends from 1950 

to 1965. For 1965, “about 22 percent of the total withdrawals for public supply is estimated to have been consumed” 

(p. 3). Rural use includes self-supplied domestic water and 

livestock water use. For self-supplied domestic use, 1,600 

of 2,300 Mgal/d was consumed (approximately 70 percent). 

Livestock water use was 1,700 Mgal/d and the water consumed was 1,600 Mgal/d, approximately 94 percent. Irrigation water withdrawn for the United States was 120,000 

Mgal/d, 24,000 Mgal/d of which was lost in conveyance and 

66,000 Mgal/d of which was consumed (table 13, p. 28). An 

undetermined part of the conveyance loss was transpired or 

evaporated, and another undetermined part of the conveyance 

loss returned to ground water or surface water and was thus 

available for use. Because of these uncertainties, the consumptive use for irrigation could range from 55 to 75 percent. For 

industrial water use, about 7.5 percent was consumed (p. 4); 

and for thermoelectric water use, less than 0.5 percent was 

consumed (p. 4, under self-supplied industrial water). Only 

15 percent of the water consumed in the contignous United 

States was in the 31 Eastern States, whereas 85 percent of the 

water consumed was in the 17 Western States (fig. 8, p. 8). 

The consumptive-use coefficients from the USGS circulars are 

summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to –16 of this report. 

Murray, C.R. and Reeves, E.B., 1972, Estimated use of 

water in the United States in 1970: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 676, 37 p. 

The USGS 1970 circular includes water-withdrawal and 

water-consumption data for 1970, as well as historical trends 

in water use from 1950 to 1970. Water-use data (withdrawals and consumptive use) were compiled by USGS offices in 

each state and water-use project chiefs. In 1970, 86 percent 

of the water consumed was in the 17 Western States, and 14 

percent was in the 31 Eastern States (fig. 6). For public-supply 

systems, 22 percent of the withdrawals was consumed. Rural 

domestic and livestock water consumption were 65 and 90 

percent, respectively (p. 4 and table 6, p. 20–21). Irrigation 

water consumption was 59 percent (p.4), and conveyance 

loss was an additional 17 percent (p. 4). For thermoelectric 

freshwater use, 0.67 percent was consumed (p. 5, under selfsupplied industrial water). Water consumed for the industrial 

water-use category was about 10 percent of withdrawals (p. 5). 

The consumptive-use coefficients from the USGS circulars are 

summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 1–16 of this report. 

Murray, C.R. and Reeves, E.B., 1977, Estimated use of 

water in the United States in 1975: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 765, 39 p. 

The USGS 1975 circular includes state and regional 

water-withdrawal and water-consumption data for 1975, as 

well as historical trends in water use from 1950 to 1975. 

Public-supply consumptive use was almost 23 percent of the 

water withdrawals (p. 4). Water-use data (withdrawals and 

consumptive use) were compiled by USGS offices in each 

state and water-use project chiefs. Fifty percent of the rural 

domestic water withdrawals and 95 percent of the livestock 
Annotated Bibliography 113 

withdrawals were consumed. For irrigation water use, 56.4 

percent of the water withdrawn was consumed, and 16 percent 

was lost through conveyance (p. 5). Thermoelectric plants 

consumed about 1.5 percent of their freshwater withdrawals 

(p. 6, under self-supplied industrial water), and self-supplied 

industrial facilities consumed 11 percent of their freshwater 

withdrawals (p. 6). For the contiguous United States, 16 percent of the water consumed was in the Eastern States, and 84 

percent of the water consumed in the Western States (fig. 6, p. 

9). The consumptive-use coefficients from the USGS circulars 

are summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 1–16 of this report. 

Solley, W.B., Chase, E.B., and Mann, W.B., 1983, Estimated use of water in the United States in 1980: 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1001, 56 p. 

USGS circular 1001 includes water-withdrawal and 

consumptive-use data for states and water-resources regions in 

the United States for 1980. Categories include public supply, 

rural use (domestic use and livestock), irrigation, self-supplied 

industrial, thermoelectric power and hydroelectric power. 

Water-use data (withdrawals and consumptive use) were 

compiled by USGS offices in each state and water-use project 

chiefs. For public supply, 21 percent of the withdrawals was 

consumed (p. 8 and table 2, p. 11), approximately the same 

as in 1965, 1970, and 1975. In 1980, the total consumptive 

use was 69 percent for rural withdrawals (p. 12); 57 percent 

for domestic withdrawals, with state values ranging from 0 to 

100 percent (p. 12); and 86 percent for livestock withdrawals, with state values ranging from 50 to 100 percent (p. 12). 

Irrigation consumptive use, which accounted for 81 percent 

of the consumptive use for the nation, was 55 percent of the 

irrigation water withdrawals, with state values ranging from 

24 to 100 percent (p. 18). An additional 16 percent of the 1980 

irrigation withdrawals was lost through conveyance (p. 16). 

Self-supplied industrial consumptive use was 13 percent of the 

1980 self-supplied industrial withdrawals, with state values 

ranging from 2 to 82 percent (p. 22); and thermoelectric consumptive use was 2 percent of the thermoelectric withdrawals 

with state values ranging from 0 to 85 percent (p. 26). “These 

[industrial and thermoelectric] consumptive use figures are 

higher than in previous years and indicated an increased reuse 

of water” (p. 20). Included in this report is a section on trends 

in water use during 1950–1980, which discusses the changes 

in water use and consumption during the period. 

The water withdrawal data, water consumed data, and 

the consumptive-use coefficients are summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 1–16 of this report. 

Solley, W.B., Merk, C.F., and Pierce, R.R., 1988, Estimated 

use of water in the United States in 1985: U.S. Geological 

Survey Circular 1004, 82 p. 

USGS Circular 1004 includes 1985 water-withdrawal and 

consumptive-use data for states and water-resource regions 

for public supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, 

industrial, mining, thermoelectric power water-use categories. Water-use data (withdrawals and consumptive use) were 

compiled by USGS offices in each state and water-use project 

chiefs. This compilation of water-use data included new 

categories of mining and commercial, as well as some reorganization of historic categories. Rural use, which formerly 

comprised both livestock and domestic uses, was replaced 

with a livestock section and a revised domestic category that 

included data from self-supplied and publicly supplied households. Public-supply consumptive use was no longer reported, 

but each of the categories that public-supply delivers to had 

a consumptive-use coefficient. For the new domestic-use category, the consumptive use was 23 percent of the water withdrawn, with state values ranging from 2 to 70 percent (table 3, 

p. 15). Commercial water use, which included “motels, hotels, 

restaurants, office buildings, other commercial facilities, and 

civilian and military institutions,” had a consumptive-use rate 

of 17 percent of the total commercial withdrawals, with state 

values ranging from 1 to 38 percent (self-supplied and publicly 

supplied; table 6, p. 21). For irrigation water use, 54 percent 

of the withdrawals were consumed, with state values ranging 

from 21 to 100 percent, and 17 percent was lost through conveyance (table 8, p. 25). The livestock consumption rate was 

53 percent, with state values ranging from 0 to 100 percent 

(table 9, p. 27)—a substantial reduction from that reported 

in previous USGS circulars. The change was due, in part, to 

certain states that had included fish farming in the industrial 

category for previous water-use compilations but included it in 

with the livestock category for the 1985 compilation. Self-supplied industrial consumptive use was 16 percent of the 1985 

self-supplied industrial withdrawals, with state values ranging 

from 3 to 84 percent. The consumptive-use coefficients from 

the USGS circulars are summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 

1–16 of this bibliography. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A., 1993, 

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990: 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1081, 76 p. 

USGS Circular 1081 for 1990 includes water-use and 

consumptive-use data for public-supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric-power water-use categories. Water-use data (withdrawals 

and consumptive use) were compiled by USGS offices in each 

state and water-use project chiefs. Consumption in the domestic water-use category, which includes the self-supplied and 

public-supplied users, ranged from 2 percent (Idaho) to 56 percent (New Mexico) of withdrawals and deliveries (table 11, 

p. 27), and was 23 percent for the United States as a whole 

(p. 26). For the commercial water-use category, 11 percent 

of the withdrawals and deliveries was consumed, with state 

values ranging from 1 to 59 percent (table 14, p. 33). “In most 

States, consumptive use was based on coefficients ranging 

from 40 to 100 percent of withdrawals, or on theoretical crop 

requirements. In a few States, consumptive use was calculated 

as the difference between reported withdrawals and reported 

return flows” (p. 34). Overall, 56 percent of the total water 

withdrawn for irrigation was consumed, with state values 

ranging from 22 to 100 percent (table 16, p. 37); 20 percent 

was lost through conveyance (p. 34). For 1990, the livestock 
114 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

category was further divided into two categories: livestock and 

animal specialties. Although the consumptive-use estimates 

were based on coefficients that ranged from 2 to 100 percent 

for livestock and from 0 to 100 percent for animal specialties, 

overall averages for consumption were 88 percent of water 

withdrawals for livestock, 47 percent for animal specialties, 

and 68 percent for livestock and animal specialties combined 

(table 18, p. 41). The industrial consumptive use for 1990 was 

14 percent for freshwater withdrawals, with state ranges from 

3 to 92 percent. For industrial saline-water withdrawals, overall consumptive use was 28 percent, with state ranges from 0 

to 55 percent (table 20, p. 45). Mining consumptive use was 

31 percent of the total withdrawals, with state ranges from 0 to 

100 percent (p. 46). Thermoelectric power consumed 2 percent 

(p. 50) of the water withdrawn, with state values ranging from 

0 to 99 percent. The consumptive-use coefficients from the 

USGS circulars are summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 

1–16 of this bibliography. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A., 1998, 

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1995: 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1200, 71 p. 

This publication, like the previous USGS circular for 

1990, reports withdrawal and consumptive-use data for public 

supply, domestic, commercial, irrigation, livestock, industrial, 

mining, and thermoelectric water-use categories. Water-use 

data (withdrawals and consumptive use) were compiled by 

USGS offices in each state and water-use project chiefs. For 

self-supplied and public-supplied domestic water use, about 

26 percent was consumed, with state values ranging from 5 to 

55 percent (table 12, p. 27); for commercial water use, about 

14 percent was consumed, with state values ranging from 0 to 

58 percent (table 14, p. 31). About 61 percent of water used 

for irrigation was consumed, with state values ranging from 

21 to 100 percent (table 16, p. 35), and another 19 percent 

was lost through conveyance (p. 32). Under the livestock 

category, around 96 percent of livestock withdrawal was 

consumed, with state values ranging from 20 to 100 percent, 

and about 32 percent of animal-specialties withdrawal was 

consumed, with state values ranging from 0 to 100 percent; for 

livestock and animal specialties combined, about 58 percent 

was consumed (p. 36). For industrial water use, 15 percent of 

combined fresh and saline withdrawals was consumed, with 

state values ranging from 2 to 92 percent (table 20, p. 43); 

and for mining withdrawals, 27 percent was consumed, with 

state values ranging from 0 to 100 percent (table 22, p. 47). 

For thermoelectric power, freshwater plants consumed about 

2.5 percent of withdrawals, with state values ranging from 0 

to 100 percent; whereas saline-water plants consumed less 

than 1 percent, with state values ranging from 0 to 3 percent 

(table 24, p. 51). The consumptive-use coefficients from the 

USGS circulars are summarized in appendix tables 1–1 to 

1–16 of this bibliography. 

* * * * * 

U.S. Geological Survey, 1984, National water summary 

1983—Hydrologic events and issues: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 2250, 243 p. 

This report describes and analyzes the condition of the 

Nation’s water and summarizes the water issues of concern for 

each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and western Pacific Islands under the United 

States jurisdiction. It includes a summary of withdrawal and 

consumptive use for each state from USGS Circular 1001 

(Solley and others, 1980). 

U.S. Geological Survey, 2000, Consumptive use and renewable water supply, by water-resources region: Accessed 

August 2, 2005, at http:// water.usgs.gov/watuse/misc/ 

consuse-renewable.html 

This Web page lists the 1995 water consumed (in billion 

gallons per day based on data from Solley and others, 1998) 

over the renewable water supply by U.S. water-resources 

region. Renewable water supply is a simplified sum of precipitation and imports of water, minus water not available for 

use because of natural evapotranspiration and exports. It is 

used as an upper limit for water consumption in a region on a 

sustained basis. The ratios of consumed water over renewable 

water supply for water-resources regions in the Great Lakes 

and climatically similar areas are Upper Mississippi, 2.3/77.2; 

Great Lakes, 1.9/74.3; Ohio, 2.8/139.6; Mid-Atlantic, 1.3/80.7; 

New England, 0.6/78.4; and Tennessee, 0.3/41.2. 

U.S. Geological Survey and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, 2003, Water use in Tennessee: Accessed June 20, 2005, at http://tn.water.usgs.gov/ 

wustates/tn/octodiagram.html 

The Web page shows the source, use, and disposition 

of water in Tennessee in 1995. Overall, only 3 percent of 

freshwater was consumed in Tennessee in 1995. This percentage is largely skewed by the large amount of thermoelectric 

withdrawals and the low percentage of consumption of these 

withdrawals. For individual water-use categories, consumptive-use coefficients are more representative. For domestic and 

public losses, 24 percent of the withdrawals was consumed. 

For industry (which includes commercial and mining), 11 percent of the withdrawals was consumed. Of the thermoelectric 

withdrawals, only 0.5 percent was consumed. Agriculture, 

which includes irrigation and livestock, is listed at 100 percent 

consumption. 
Annotated Bibliography 115 

van der Leeden, Frits, 1975, Water resources of the world 

— Selected statistics: Port Washington, N.Y., Water 


Information Center, 568 p. 


Water-availability and water-use information from references around the world are summarized in this publication. 

For the United States, this book summarizes the 1970 USGS 

water-use circular information, includes a profile of the Great 

Lakes drainage system, and includes per capita figures from 

municipal water-supply systems (fig. 5–8, p. 365). Many 

countries included in the tables report domestic consumption 

as part of their municipal water-supply system. It is unclear 

whether these figures represent actual consumption or just 

what was delivered because the numbers seem fairly high. 

For example, U.S. Geological Survey “consumption” refers to 

water removed from the immediate hydrologic environment, 

whereas “consumption gallons per capita per day” as reported 

by the American Water Works Association reflects withdrawal 

in gallons per capita per day and not actual consumption. 

Although this document summarizes a wealth of information, 

it is probably best used as a means of finding original sources 

of information than as a data source itself. One data table in 

this document (reconstructed below) lists ground-water withdrawal and consumption amounts for industrial categories in 

Belgium. The consumptive use coefficient is calculated. 

[Withdrawal and consumption are in thousands of cubic meters, Consumptiveuse coefficient is computed by dividing the water consumption by the water 

withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Modified from table 1–12, p. 11, of 

van der Leeden (1975)] 

ConsumptiveCategory Withdrawal Consumption use 

coefficient 

Coal mines 139,311 10,427 7 

Quarries 41,209 1,972 5 

Food (margarine, 120,528 14,140 12 

oils, etc.) 

Textiles 57,796 4,713 8 

Wood 2,988 551 18 

Paper 96,832 10,138 10 

Leather 5,368 332 6 

Chemical 650,292 39,711 6 

Rubber 7,987 754 9 

Petroleum 335,426 160 0 

refineries 

Coke plant (gas) 81,029 9,458 12 

Terra cotta 1,476 752 51 

Glass 20,842 1,968 9 

Ceramic 1,051 301 29 

Cement 17,190 5,093 30 

Iron & steel 1,099,867 66,626 6 

Non-ferrous 202,913 39,137 19 

Metallic 66,604 4,980 7 

construction 

Hydroelectric 13,257,900 - -

power 

Thermoelectric 3,703,580 11,866 0 

power 

Van Til, Ronald, and Scott, G. M., 1986, Water use for 

thermoelectric power generation in Michigan: Michigan 

Department of Natural Resources, 42 p. 

A compilation of withdrawal data and consumptive use 

data for thermoelectric plants in Michigan, this report recognizes that there are “substantial differences in the rate of water 

consumed by different cooling systems.” The report was a 

cooperative effort by the USGS and the Michigan Department 

of Natural Resources. Once-through cooling requires a larger 

volume of water, but it is estimated that only 1–2 percent of 

the water is consumed in the cooling process.” The report 

notes that, because most of the Michigan thermoelectric plants 

do not have reservoir storage, 1 percent is the more representative end of the range. Wet cooling towers require smaller water 

withdrawals than once-through cooling, but the evaporation 

and drift losses are estimated to be 66 percent. A third type 

of cooling system, cooling ponds, has a varied consumptive 

use because “heat dissipation is highly dependent on local 

meteorological conditions (p. 21).” In Michigan, cooling-pond 

systems are rarely used. 

[Water withdrawn and water consumed are in million gallons per day 

(Mgal/d). Consumptive-use coefficient is computed by dividing the water consumed by the water withdrawn and multiplying by 100. Modified from Van Til 

and Scott (1986; table 7, p. 22), all for Michigan.] 

Type of cooling Water 

withdrawn 

Water 

consumed 

Average 

consumptiveuse rate 

Once-through 8,178.64 81.79 1 

Wet tower 2.31 1.52 66 

Wet tower/discharge 202.04 26.27 131 

Radiator/dry 0.00 0.00 0 

Cooling ponds 4.30 2.84 66 

Combination <0.01 - -

Total 8,387.29 112.42 1.3 

1

 There were four plants in this category, and the individual consumptive 

rates varied widely. 

Veeger, A.I., Vinhateiro, N.D., Nakao, M., and Craft, P.A., 

2003, Water use and availability, Block Island, Rhode 

Island, 2000: Rhode Island Geological Survey Report 

03–01, 22 p. 

As part of estimating the water use and availability on 

Block Island, R.I., for 2000, consumptive use was estimated 

by use of the following coefficients: domestic, 15 percent; 

public use and commercial, 10 percent; and livestock 100 percent (p. 12), referenced from Horn (2000). 
116 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Vickers, Amy, 2001, Handbook of water use and conservation: Amherst, Mass., Water Plow Press, 446 p. 

Geared largely at promoting water efficiency through 

designing and retrofitting of water-using devices and facilities, 

this reference work nevertheless contains interesting facts and 

figures related to consumptive use, particularly with regard to 

new technologies. Each chapter is liberally referenced to other 

literature. Among the types of water use data given are per 

capita rates of indoor and outdoor residential use, per capita 

use rates (visitors and employees) for a variety of industrial, 

commercial, and institutional facility types (p. 234), and 

detailed data on water consumption by cooling towers. 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978, The Nation’s water 

resources, 1975–2000: Washington, D.C., four volumes 

and 6 appendixes. 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978, The Nation’s water 

resources, 1975–2000: Volume 3: Analytical data summary, 89 p. 

Annual water withdrawals and consumption are provided 

by water-use categories by regions for base conditions in 

table 11–4, p. 42–53, “Annual water requirements for offstream uses.” This table includes 1975 data and estimates data 

for 1985 and 2000. The consumptive-use coefficients from 

the report “The Nation’s water resources, 1975–2000” are 

summarized in appendix 5 of this report (tables 5–1 to 5–4). 

Withdrawal and consumptive data are from multiple Federal 

agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, 

Energy, and Commerce; the Water Resources Council; and 

U.S. Department of the Interior (USGS, National Park Service, 

Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and 

Wildlife Service.) 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978, The Nation’s water 

resources, 1975–2000—Volume 3— Analytical data, 

Appendix II, Annual water supply and use analysis, 

174 p. 

Annual water withdrawals and consumption are provided 

by water-use categories by subregions for base conditions in 

table 11–4, p. 40–105, “Annual water requirements for offstream uses.” This table includes 1975 data and estimates data 

for 1985 and 2000. 

Water Resources Council (U.S.), 1978, The Nation’s water 

resources, 1975–2000—Volume 3— Analytical data, 

Appendix III, Monthly water supply and use analysis, 

302 p. 

Monthly water withdrawals and consumption are provided by water-use categories and by subregions for base 

conditions in table III–4, p. 82–187, “Monthly water requirements for offstream uses.” This table includes 1975 data 

and estimates data for 1985 and 2000. Also of interest in 

this publication are monthly streamflow frequency analyses 

for surface-water resources for subregions (or HUCs), and 

monthly imports, exports, and net evaporation by subregions. 

Water Resources Council (U.S), 1978, The Nation’s water 

resources, 1975–2000—Volume 3— Analytical data, 

Appendix IV, dry conditions water supply and use analysis, 337 p. 

Annual water withdrawals and consumption are provided by water-use categories by regions for dry conditions in 

table IV–1, p. 22–86, “Annual water requirements for offstream uses.” This table includes 1975 data and estimates for 

1985 and 2000. Monthly water withdrawals and consumption 

are provided by water-use categories and by subregions for dry 

conditions in table IV–3, p. 104–209, “Monthly water requirements for offstream uses.” This table includes 1975 data and 

estimates for 1985 and 2000. Also of interest is a table for 

monthly water-adequacy analyses for subregions in dry conditions. 

Wild, E.C., and Nimiroski, M.T., 2004, Estimated water 

use and availability in the Pawcatuck Basin, southern 

Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut, 1995–99: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations 


Report 2004–5020, 72 p. 


Withdrawal, use, and return-flow data were collected for 

the Pawcatuck Basin in southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. This study used consumptive-use coefficients 

of 10 percent for commercial and industrial categories (p. 32) 

(Solley and others, 1998) and 100 percent for agricultural use 

(livestock, crop irrigation and golf course irrigation) (p. 37). 

The authors referenced Horn and others (1994) for livestock 

consumptive use, but did not use these coefficients because 

of negligible livestock water use in the study area. For the 

basin, the domestic publicly supplied consumptive use was 

9.4 percent (tables 11 and 12, p. 30–31, 33–34) and domestic 

self-supplied consumptive use was 20.6 percent (tables 11 and 

12, p. 30–31, 33–34). 

Wild, E.C., and Nimiroski, M.T., 2005, Estimated water 

use and availability in the South Coastal Drainage Basin, 

southern Rhode Island, 1995–99: U.S. Geological Survey 

Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5288, 46 p. 

Withdrawal, use, and return flow data were collected for 

the South Coastal Drainage Basin in southern Rhode Island. 

This study used consumptive-use coefficients of 10 percent 

for commercial and industrial categories (p. 26) (Solley and 

others, 1998) and 100 percent for agricultural use (livestock, 

crop irrigation and golf course irrigation) (Horn and others, 

1994). The authors referenced Horn and others (1994) for 

livestock consumptive use but did not use these coefficients 

because of negligible livestock water use in the study area. 

For the basin, the domestic publicly-supplied consumptive use 

was 6.3 percent (tables 11 and 12, p. 26, 28) and the domestic 

self-supplied consumptive use was 46 percent (tables 11 and 

12, p. 26, 28). 
 

Woldorf, A.F., 1959, Irrigation and rural water use in 

Ohio: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division 

of Water, Ohio Water Plan Inventory Report 7, 57 p. 

As part of this report, water use and water consumption for Ohio were summarized. The rate of consumption for 

irrigation was at least 90 percent, and the rate of consumption 

was less than 10 percent for manufacturing (p. 2). By using 

the figure 1 on page 7, the rate of consumption is 3 percent 

Annotated Bibliography 117 

for rural home, 97 percent for irrigation, 1 percent for power, 

11 percent for municipal, and 5 percent for manufacturing (see 

below). Of particular interest was that fewer than 1,000 property managers (farmers and golf course operators) controlled 

13 percent of the total water consumption of Ohio at the time 

Woldorf’s report was written (p. 6). The bulk of the water consumption for rural water use is by golf-course irrigation; farm 

irrigation is the next largest rural consumer. 

[Modified from figure 1, p. 7 of Woldorf (1959). Coefficient is expressed as percent. Water consumption and water withdrawals 

are in million of gallons per day (Mgal/d). Ggal/d; billion gallons per day.] 

Water –use 

category 

Percent of statewide 

total withdrawal 

(Total withdrawal is 

12 Ggal/d) 

Water 

withdrawal 

(Mgal/d) 

Percent of statewide 

total consumption 

(Total consumption is 

410 Mgal/d) 

Water 

consumption 

(Mgal/d) 

Coefficient 

Rural home 1 120 1 4.1 3 

Irrigation 0.6 72 17 69.7 97 

Power 62 7,440 18 73.8 1 

Municipal 6 720 19 77.9 11 

Manufacturing 31 3,720 45 184 5 
118 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

This page is intentionally blank. 
Appendixes 1–5
 

Appendix 1. Tables from U.S. Geological Survey Circulars on estimated use of water 

in the United States, 1960–1995 ....................................................................................120
 

Appendix 2. Tables from 1983 Census of Manufacturing.................................................................152
 

Appendix 3. Tables from Great Lakes Commission documents......................................................176
 

Appendix 4. Tables from “Water Demands in the Canadian section of the Great 


Lakes Basin” .....................................................................................................................185
 

Appendix 5. Tables from “The Nation’s Water Resources, 1975” ..................................................187
 
120 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-1. Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive 

use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 

1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 290 280 280 290 270 1,730 1,690 1,760 6,590 

Consumptive use 96 103 78 61 74 213 235 248 1,108 

Coefficient 33 37 28 21 27 12 14 14 17 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 73 92 17 17 82 981 1,020 1,060 3,342 

Consumptive use 51 64 12 12 58 97 102 107 503 

Coefficient 70 70 71 71 70 10 10 10 15 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 96 94 87 100 120 562 421 441 1,921 

Consumptive use 67 66 61 31 120 56 63 66 530 

Coefficient 70 70 70 31 100 10 15 15 28 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 100 100 160 160 160 752 707 817 2,956 

Consumptive use 21 21 26 26 27 98 103 119 441 

Coefficient 21 21 16 16 17 13 15 15 15 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 52 49 110 89 120 532 601 326 1,879 

Consumptive use 7.7 49 110 8.7 120 172 204 110 781.4 

Coefficient 15 100 100 10 100 32 34 34 42 

New York 

Total withdrawn 110 130 120 120 130 1,660 2,010 1,960 6,240 

Consumptive use 12 13 12 12 13 166 201 107 536 

Coefficient 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 9 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 110 100 110 110 89 606 589 637 2,351 

Consumptive use 97 94 100 77 62 91 88 96 705 

Coefficient 88 94 91 70 70 15 15 15 30 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 97 100 110 120 150 723 711 740 2,751 

Consumptive use 9.7 10 11 12 15 72 71 74 274.7 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 70 82 74 70 72 253 269 281 1,171 

Consumptive use 7.0 8.2 7.3 6.9 7 25 54 56 171.4 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 15 
Appendix 1 121 

Table 1-1. Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive 

use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 

1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 708 747 788 786 923 6,069 6,328 6,262 22,611 

Consumptive use 272.4 325.2 339.3 185.6 422 777 886 735 3,942.7 

Coefficient 38 44 43 24 46 13 14 12 17 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive 

use is from the column “Domestic use—Consumed.” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 8 and 9). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Domestic use—Consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Domestic use—Water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Domestic use—Fresh-water consumed.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Domestic use—Consumptive use.” For this and previous 5-year compilations, only self-supplied domestic was accounted for. 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from 

the column “Total—Consumptive use.” For this and following 5-year compilations, domestic included self-supplied and publicly supplied deliveries to domestic. 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 
122 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-2. Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 260 270 340 380 430 3,350 3,660 3,830 

Consumptive use 86 88 130 100 110 420 415 355 

Coefficient 33 33 38 29 26 13 11 9 14 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn 39 100 96 110 130 943 882 886 

Consumptive use 31 84 47 36 63 249 124 139 

Coefficient 79 84 49 33 48 26 14 16 24 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 230 260 270 300 310 1,470 1,410 1,470 

Consumptive use 140 180 180 140 200 220 191 189 

Coefficient 61 69 67 47 65 15 14 13 25 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 58 90 52 42 61 311 308 338 

Consumptive use 54 84 31 25 39 48 43 51 

Coefficient 93 93 60 60 64 15 14 15 30 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 180 200 210 200 300 1,940 1,900 1,760 

Consumptive use 73 100 130 48 190 409 401 329 

Coefficient 41 50 62 24 63 21 21 19 25 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn 22 46 39 50 53 217 234 246 

Consumptive use 22 46 39 26 32 59 47 49 

Coefficient 100 100 100 52 60 27 20 20 35 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 6.1 5.2 11 10 25 46 52 55 

Consumptive use .6 .5 1.2 1.1 0 4.6 5.2 5.5 

Coefficient 10 10 11 11 0 10 10 10 9 

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 56 41 47 51 55 354 183 184 

Consumptive use 14 7.0 19 20 22 144 73 73 

Coefficient 25 17 40 39 40 41 40 40 38 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn 24 65 55 38 61 226 235 260 

Consumptive use 14 39 44 30 48 60 41 34 

Coefficient 58 60 80 79 79 27 17 13 32 

Maine 

Total withdrawn 7.4 10 12 16 26 114 88 81 

Consumptive use 2.2 3.1 3.3 5.3 26 80 13 12 

Coefficient 30 31 28 33 100 70 15 15 41 
Appendix 1 123 

Table 1-2. Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

30 

30 

100 

33 

33 

100 

46 

46 

100 

49 

32 

65 

49 

32 

65 

428 

43 

10 

484 

48 

10 

506 

51 

10 19 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

4.7 

4.2 

89 

38 

34 

89 

28 

2.7 

10 

25 

3.0 

12 

32 

3.9 

12 

450 

77 

17 

402 

40 

10 

396 

54 

14 16 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

55 

55 

100 

46 

21 

46 

39 

18 

46 

58 

26 

45 

92 

39 

42 

408 

114 

28 

410 

114 

28 

433 

108 

25 32 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

4.3 

3.9 

91 

6.3 

4.5 

71 

11 

1.1 

10 

8.5 

.4 

5 

9.3 

.5 

5 

85 

17 

20 

76 

11 

14 

89 

13 

15 18 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

83 

25 

30 

36 

11 

31 

80 

40 

50 

110 

53 

48 

75 

15 

20 

567 

103 

18 

580 

106 

18 

624 

122 

20 22 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

1.2 

0 

0 

4.8 

1.4 

29 

4.6 

.7 

15 

4.4 

.7 

16 

4.9 

.8 

16 

64 

14 

22 

67 

10 

15 

64 

9.6 

15 17 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

28 

28 

100 

48 

48 

100 

39 

9.9 

25 

41 

11 

27 

43 

12 

28 

373 

37 

10 

397 

40 

10 

409 

41 

10 16 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

7.5 

6.8 

91 

7.4 

6.6 

89 

11 

1.1 

10 

19 

.9 

5 

20 

1.0 

5 

46 

9.1 

20 

43 

6.5 

15 

45 

6.7 

15 19 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

66 

39 

59 

84 

50 

60 

74 

45 

61 

84 

4.3 

5 

150 

74 

49 

448 

90 

20 

464 

47 

10 

548 

55 

10 21 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

19 

.2 

1 

28 

28 

100 

18 

.2 

1 

22 

.1 

0 

19 

.2 

1 

102 

29 

28 

136 

14 

10 

136 

14 

10 18 
124 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-2. Domestic water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

District of Columbia 

Total withdrawn 0 0 0 0 0 174 109 95 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 0 0 17 11 9.5 

Coefficient - - - - - 10 10 10 10 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 414.2 498.7 514.6 585.9 714.2 4,102 3,960 4,171 14,961 

Consumptive use 244.9 333.1 271.2 213.8 306.4 897.7 626.7 6,573 3,551 

Coefficient 59 67 53 36 43 22 16 16 24 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is from the column “Domestic use—Consumed.” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 8 and 9). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Domestic use—Consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Domestic use—Water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Domestic use—Fresh-water consumed.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Domestic use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the column “Domestic use—Consumptive use.” For this and previous 5-year compilations, only self-supplied domestic was 

accounted for. 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Total—Consumptive use.” For this and following 5-year compilations, domestic included self-supplied and publicly supplied 

deliveries to domestic. 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 
Appendix 1 125 

Table 1-3. Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. ] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 7,700 9,000 9,000 7,600 6,120 5,120 5,040 4,950 

Consumptive use 280 360 570 490 490 380 458 436 

Coefficient 4 4 6 6 8 7 9 9 6 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 2,100 1,800 1,940 1,631 1,838 790 728 570 

Consumptive use 44 41 76 80 88 273 80 63 

Coefficient 2 2 4 5 5 35 11 11 7 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 2,000 2,600 3,200 3,300 3,100 2,730 2,590 2,400 

Consumptive use 78 100 130 130 160 228 155 144 

Coefficient 4 4 4 4 5 8 6 6 5 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 1,800 1,900 2,100 1,900 2,120 1,570 2,100 2,120 

Consumptive use 51 54 240 216 219 124 152 160 

Coefficient 3 3 11 11 10 8 7 8 8 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 840 1,400 1,200 600 590 231 198 181 

Consumptive use 59 110 85 42 58 70 35 26 

Coefficient 7 8 7 7 10 30 18 14 9 

New York 

Total withdrawn 3,000 3,200 1,466 1,638 1,230 2,050 588 615 

Consumptive use 120 130 130 142 107 205 60 62 

Coefficient 4 4 9 9 9 10 10 10 7 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 2,600 4,600 3,700 2,400 2,000 802 679 912 

Consumptive use 87 140 110 72 180 156 204 190 

Coefficient 3 3 3 3 9 19 30 21 6 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 4,860 4,950 5,450 4,743 3,600 2,300 2,120 1,870 

Consumptive use 190 200 220 344 260 186 189 158 

Coefficient 4 4 4 7 7 8 9 8 6 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 700 350 330 310 450 614 619 592 

Consumptive use 17 8.6 10 31 45 58 125 95 

Coefficient 2 2 3 10 10 9 20 16 10 
126 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-3. Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. ] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 17,900 20,800 19,386 16,522 14,928 11,087 9,622 9,260 119,505 

Consumptive use 646 784 1,001 1,057 1,117 1,300 1,000 898 7,803 

Coefficient 4 4 5 6 7 12 10 10 7 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh 

and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the column “Other uses—Water consumed.” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 14 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the column “Other uses—Water consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 8 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh and 

Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other uses—Water consumed—fresh and saline.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 8 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other industrial uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh 

and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other industrial uses—Water consumed—fresh and saline.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other industries—Total, excluding reclaimed sewage—Fresh 

and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other industries—Consumptive use—fresh and saline.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and “Self-supplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the column “Total—Consumptive use—Total.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 19 and 20). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and “Self-supplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Total use—Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 19 and 20). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and “Selfsupplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Total use—Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” 
Appendix 1 127 

Table 1-4. Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients 

by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

7,080 

460 

6 

1,410 

84 

6 

7,234 

310 

4 

1,500 

240 

16 

1,720 

36 

2 

316 

20 

6 

435 

54 

12 

110 

11 

10 

251 

24 

10 

353 

25 

7 

880 

74 

8 

7,490 

470 

6 

1,560 

79 

5 

8,526 

400 

5 

1,100 

180 

16 

1,618 

58 

4 

268 

6.1 

2 

521 

1.2 

0 

180 

19 

11 

261 

44 

17 

497 

29 

6 

1,440 

130 

9 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

8,000 

340 

4 

6,200 

365 

6 

5,500 

410 

7 

New England Region 

1,520 

114 

8 

1,670 

91 

5 

1,578 

71.1 

5 

Ohio Region 

5,858 

260 

4 

6,020 

360 

6 

5,024 

420 

8 

Tennessee Region 

1,400 

72 

5 

1,600 

120 

8 

2,000 

220 

11 

Upper Mississippi Region 

1,720 

75 

4 

1,815 

98 

5 

3,315 

170 

5 

Connecticut 

215 

6 

3 

322 

23 

7 

272 

19 

7 

Delaware 

387 

1.4 

0 

500 

5.4 

1 

412 

41.1 

10 

Iowa 

280 

5.3 

2 

310 

6 

2 

550 

11 

2 

Kentucky 

385 

40 

10 

280 

29 

10 

320 

33 

10 

Maine 

424 

25.4 

6 

439 

6 

1 

661 

8.9 

1 

Maryland 

1,440 

52 

4 

1,210 

41 

3 

650 

20 

3 

5,400 

495 

9 

988 

199 

20 

3,720 

550 

15 

1,850 

229 

12 

1,350 

325 

24 

207 

14 

7 

428 

7.5 

2 

239 

31 

13 

408 

17 

4 

256 

88 

34 

405 

101 

25 

3,870 

341 

9 

766 

85 

11 

2,990 

297 

10 

1,290 

163 

13 

1,430 

214 

15 

212 

30 

14 

86 

12 

14 

253 

33 

13 

512 

19 

4 

270 

27 

10 

502 

75 

15 

2,476 

247 

10 

321 

24 

7 

4,280 

480 

11 

1,170 

115 

10 

1,350 

176 

13 

51 

1.1 

2 

79 

11 

14 

335 

44 

13 

543 

22 

4 

25 

2.5 

10 

370 

42 

11 

7 

8 

7 

11 

8 

6 

5 

7 

8 

7 

8 
128 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-4. Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients 

by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

580 

30 

5 

163 

9 

6 

150 

8 

5 

1,320 

150 

11 

47.3 

2.2 

5 

1,400 

310 

22 

34 

2 

6 

1,285 

0 

0 

2,300 

120 

5 

1.8 

.7 

39 

600 

30 

5 

316 

30 

9 

170 

9 

5 

1,530 

170 

11 

45.4 

4.4 

10 

890 

180 

20 

34 

1.6 

5 

802 

1.4 

0 

2,100 

140 

7 

1.4 

.3 

21 

Massachusetts 

690 

69 

10 

680 

50 

7 

374 

30.1 

8 

Missouri 

310 

29 

9 

240 

5.0 

2 

300 

24 

8 

New Hampshire 

190 

9.6 

5 

210 

11 

5 

210 

10 

5 

New Jersey 

1,000 

70 

7 

1,100 

90 

8 

1,750 

115 

7 

Rhode Island 

38.4 

3.8 

10 

30.3 

3.0 

10 

35.6 

2.9 

8 

Tennessee 

1,000 

47 

5 

1,300 

120 

9 

1,700 

150 

9 

Vermont 

46 

2.3 

5 

15 

1.8 

12 

15 

2.3 

15 

Virginia 

1,080 

7.4 

1 

950 

8.4 

1 

551 

55.1 

10 

West Virginia 

660 

57 

9 

660 

57 

9 

830 

82 

10 

District of Columbia 

1.4 

.3 

21 

1.4 

.3 

21 

1.4 

.3 

21 

220 

44 

20 

221 

30 

14 

254 

51 

20 

1,300 

53 

4 

37.2 

2.6 

7 

1,700 

187 

11 

67 

13 

19 

714 

80 

11 

909 

133 

15 

0 

0 

-

195 

20 

10 

218 

29 

13 

53 

5.3 

10 

1,587 

65 

4 

24 

1.7 

7 

988 

109 

11 

47 

4.7 

10 

713 

85.9 

12 

145 

22 

15 

.5 

0 

0 

171 

13 

8 

179 

27 

15 

56 

6.6 

12 

487 

37 

8 

13 

1.3 

10 

993 

109 

11 

17 

1.7 

10 

671 

80 

12 

1,330 

200 

15 

1.2 

.1 

8 

8 

9 

9 

7 

8 

12 

11 

5 

9 

22 
Appendix 1 129 

Table 1-4. Industrial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients 

by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

9,626 

840 

9 

9,656 

796 

8 

Climatically similar states 

8,147 

426 

5 

8,248 

457 

6 

8,632 

604.7 

7 

7,365 

852.1 

12 

5,806 

539 

9 

5,321 

598 

11 

62,799 

5,111 

8 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water— 

Fresh and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the column “Other uses—Water consumed.” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 14 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh and Saline.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “Other uses—Water consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 8 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other uses—water withdrawn—All water—Fresh and 

Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other uses—Water consumed—fresh and saline.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 8 and 15). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other industrial uses—water withdrawn—All water— 

Fresh and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other industrial uses—Water consumed—fresh and saline.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Other industries—Total, excluding reclaimed sewage— 

Fresh and Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Other industries—Consumptive use—fresh and saline.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and “Selfsupplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the column “Total—Consumptive use—Total.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 19 and 20). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and “Selfsupplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Total use—Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 19 and 20). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” and 

“Self-supplied withdrawals—Total—Saline.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Total use—Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” 
130 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-5. Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, 

by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 were 

reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

18,000 

12 

0 

9,700 

2 

0 

3,200 

7 

0 

3,900 

1 

0 

1,200 

0 

0 

8,300 

8 

0 

8,200 

22 

0 

6,600 

4 

0 

2,900 

0 

0 

21,000 

11 

0 

13,000 

4 

0 

6,400 

6 

0 

5,800 

4 

0 

1,300 

2 

0 

10,500 

10 

0 

9,100 

7 

0 

8,800 

6 

0 

3,900 

1 

0 

Great Lakes Basin 

26,000 

14 

0 

25,000 

52 

0 

27,000 

93 

0 

Illinois 

11,000 

5 

0 

9,100 

5 

0 

14,000 

260 

2 

Indiana 

4,800 

5 

0 

7,300 

65 

1 

9,700 

65 

1 

Michigan 

9,800 

0 

0 

12,000 

0 

0 

12,000 

0 

0 

Minnesota 

1,700 

.2 

0 

2,900 

58 

2 

1,700 

7.2 

0 

New York 

13,000 

27 

0 

20,000 

39 

0 

12,000 

38.6 

0 

Ohio 

14,000 

14 

0 

12,000 

78 

1 

10,000 

93 

1 

Pennsylvania 

12,000 

8.9 

0 

11,000 

230 

2 

10,000 

290 

3 

Wisconsin 

5,300 

0 

0 

2,200 

30 

1 

4,500 

46 

1 

22,400 

1,100 

5 

11,700 

121 

1 

4,480 

77 

2 

8,390 

108 

1 

1,480 

140 

9 

10,900 

2,310 

21 

10,500 

64 

1 

10,200 

193 

2 

5,440 

54 

1 

22,800 

476 

2 

15,200 

370 

2 

5,960 

119 

2 

8,060 

204 

3 

1,880 

323 

17 

15,500 

340 

2 

9,550 

393 

4 

5,750 

218 

4 

5,100 

51 

1 

22,800 

429 

2 

17,100 

407 

2 

5,690 

114 

2 

8,370 

126 

2 

2,090 

48 

2 

13,100 

300 

2 

8,190 

336 

4 

5,930 

239 

4 

5,830 

58 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

3 

1 

2 

1 
Appendix 1 131 

Table 1-5. Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, 

by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 were 

reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 44,000 58,800 71,600 76,500 73,900 63,090 67,000 66,300 521,190 

Consumptive use 44 40 60.1 506 800 3,067 2,018 1,628 8,163.1 

Coefficient 0 0 0 1 1 5 3 2 2 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and 

Public supplies.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumed.” Because data was reported to two significant figures, totals were rounded to two 

significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 7 and 8, as well as partial columns were used to help determine rounding. 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and Public supplies.” Consumptive use is from the column “Water consumed.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, totals were rounded to two significant figures 

as well. In some cases, tables 14 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help determine rounding. 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 9 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and Public 

supplies.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Water consumed—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, totals were 

rounded to two significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 8 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help determine rounding. 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 9 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser and reactor cooling and Other thermoelectric uses— 

self-supplied and public supplies.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Water consumed—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two 

significant figures, totals were rounded to two significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 8 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help 

determine rounding. 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Cooling of condensers and reactors—Total and Other thermoelectric 

uses—total. Consumptive use is from the columns “Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, totals 

were rounded to two significant figures as well. 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total,” plus “Public-supply deliveries”. As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals, the “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total—Consumptive use—total.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 23 and 24.) Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total” plus “Public-supply deliveries.” As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals—the column “Total— Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the column “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Total Use—Consumptive use—total.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 23 and 24). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total” plus “Public-supply deliveries.” As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals—the column “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the column “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive 

use is from the column “Total Use—Consumptive use—Total.” 
132 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-6. Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 were 

reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 15,300 21,000 32,000 39,000 40000 32400 37,200 32,400 

Consumptive use 15 27 52 186 920 2,040 413 401 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 2 6 1 1 2 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn 3,900 4,200 6,500 11,000 9,900 13,200 11,510 10,400 

Consumptive use 1 3 4 96 21 254 230 105 

Coefficient 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 1 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 16,000 20,000 27,000 27,000 30,000 24,400 23,900 22,600 

Consumptive use 33 17 50 280 520 1,020 881 838 

Coefficient 0 0 0 1 2 4 4 4 2 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 5,600 6,500 6,100 8,700 9,200 6,810 7,070 6,990 

Consumptive use 0 8 64 59 20 11 15 13 

Coefficient 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 8,200 13,000 12,000 13,000 16,000 12,800 16,500 19,100 

Consumptive use 4 27 23 96 290 276 635 388 

Coefficient 0 0 0 1 2 2 4 2 2 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn 1,500 1,600 2,900 1,900 3,200 3,210 4,240 3,940 

Consumptive use 0 1 2 4.7 1.9 65 85 80 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 440 600 730 1,500 680 1,120 1,160 1,270 

Consumptive use 0 4 0 0 68 .7 6.6 3.1 

Coefficient 0 1 0 0 10 0 1 0 1 

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 1,500 1,500 1,400 2,800 3,200 1,810 2,080 2,130 

Consumptive use 2 21 20 15 20 54 10 10 

Coefficient 0 1 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn 2,000 2,700 3,800 2,300 4,100 3,410 3,440 3,440 

Consumptive use 1 5 21 45 140 124 203 203 

Coefficient 0 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 3 

Maine 

Total withdrawn 120 180 200 620 750 746 691 137 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 5.2 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 1 
Appendix 1 133 

Table 1-6. Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 were 

reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

1,100 

0 

0 

2,200 

0 

0 

3,200 

0 

0 

5,600 

20 

0 

6,500 

19 

0 

5,420 

465 

9 

4,970 

59 

1 

6,360 

52 

1 2 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

1,800 

1 

0 

2,000 

2 

0 

2,700 

2 

0 

7,200 

0 

0 

4,700 

0 

0 

8,450 

182 

2 

4,500 

90 

2 

4,520 

6 

0 1 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

1,300 

1 

0 

1,600 

9 

1 

2,500 

13 

1 

3,000 

29 

1 

5,500 

300 

5 

4,930 

89 

2 

5,600 

97 

2 

5,550 

51 

1 2 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

260 

0 

0 

240 

0 

0 

410 

0 

0 

700 

0 

0 

700 

0 

0 

542 

5.3 

1 

1,150 

23 

2 

1,110 

4.3 

0 1 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

2,700 

4 

0 

4,000 

9 

0 

4,200 

26 

1 

4,300 

2.5 

0 

7,400 

570 

8 

4,540 

14 

0 

10,100 

.2 

0 

4,390 

36 

1 2 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

310 

0 

0 

300 

0 

0 

310 

0 

0 

330 

0 

0 

330 

0 

0 

261 

2.6 

1 

393 

7.9 

2 

275 

5.5 

2 1 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

3,900 

1 

0 

3,300 

1 

0 

4,900 

62 

1 

5,800 

50 

1 

7,800 

1.0 

0 

6,060 

.8 

0 

7,320 

0 

0 

8,300 

.5 

0 0 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

29 

0 

0 

53 

0 

0 

5.0 

0 

0 

250 

94 

38 

240 

22 

9 

.8 

.6 

75 

519 

11 

2 

453 

4 

1 8 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

3,400 

2 

0 

4,200 

8 

0 

3,900 

.8 

0 

5,900 

0 

0 

8,400 

83 

1 

5,760 

89 

2 

5,290 

12 

0 

6,620 

8.8 

0 0 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

3,700 

0 

0 

2,700 

1 

0 

5,000 

1.1 

0 

5,400 

1.2 

0 

4,600 

110 

2 

4,210 

658 

16 

3,710 

99 

3 

3,010 

122 

4 3 

District of Columbia 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

270 

0 

0 

200 

0 

0 

1,100 

0 

0 

130 

2 

2 

130 

2 

2 

130 

2 

2 

8.0 

.6 

8 

9.7 

.8 

8 0 
134 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-6. Thermoelectric power water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes 

Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 were 

reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 24,329 27,373 37,255 47,730 58,230 50,600 55,171 51,515 352,203 

Consumptive use 12 61 147.9 263.4 1,336.9 1,752 718.3 592.2 4,883.7 

Coefficient 0 0 0 1 2 3 1 1 1 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and 

Public supplies.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumed.” Because data was reported to two significant figures, totals were rounded to two 

significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 7 and 8, as well as partial columns were used to help determine rounding. 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and Public supplies.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “Water consumed.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, totals were rounded to two significant 

figures as well. In some cases, tables 14 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help determine rounding. 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 9 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser cooling and Other uses—Self-supplied and Public 

supplies.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Water consumed—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, totals 

were rounded to two significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 8 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help determine rounding. 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 9 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Condenser and reactor cooling and Other thermoelectric uses— 

self-supplied and public supplies.” Consumptive use is from the columns “Water consumed—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two 

significant figures, totals were rounded to two significant figures as well. In some cases, tables 8 and 15, as well as partial columns, were used to help 

determine rounding. 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Cooling of condensers and reactors—Total and Other thermoelectric uses—total. Consumptive use is from the columns “Consumptive use—Fresh and Saline.” Because data were reported to two significant figures, 

totals were rounded to two significant figures as well. 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total,” plus “Public-supply deliveries.” As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals, the “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total—Consumptive use—total.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 23 and 24.) Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total” plus “Public-supply deliveries.” As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals—the “Total— Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total Use—Consumptive use—total.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 23 and 24). Total withdrawn is from the columns “Self-supplied withdrawals, by source and type” for both “Ground 

water—Fresh” and “Surface water—Total” plus “Public-supply deliveries.” As a check—because independent rounding is noted as a reason figures 

might not add to totals—the “Total use—Withdrawals and deliveries—Fresh” was added to the “Surface water—saline.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total Use—Consumptive use—total.” 
Appendix 1 135 

Table 1-7. Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by 

the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 

1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 46 67 90 99 340 2751 290 315 

Consumptive use 45 65 87 94 330 274 274 295 

Coefficient 98 97 97 95 97 100 94 94 96 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 2.4 15 21 41 110 71 78 180 

Consumptive use 2.4 15 21 41 110 71 70 180 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 90 100 98 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 7.2 9 25 34 230 47 51 116 

Consumptive use 7.2 9 25 33 230 47 46 104 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 90 90 97 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 22 37 58 64 210 2311 240 227 

Consumptive use 22 36 58 64 210 231 227 216 

Coefficient 100 97 100 100 100 100 95 95 98 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 7.1 5.8 20 47 160 209 195 157 

Consumptive use 7.1 5.8 20 47 160 190 175 140 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 91 90 89 93 

New York 

Total withdrawn 28 53 27 32 46 38 54 30 

Consumptive use 28 53 27 32 46 38 49 26 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 91 87 97 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 8.5 11 31 18 5.3 17 15 27 

Consumptive use 7.7 11 28 16 4.8 15 14 26 

Coefficient 91 100 90 89 91 88 93 96 92 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 3 6.7 10 34 160 11 14 16 

Consumptive use 3 6.7 10 34 160 11 14 16 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 16 39 52 71 85 84 151 169 

Consumptive use 16 29 40 56 77 84 151 151 

Coefficient 100 74 77 79 91 100 100 89 91 
136 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-7. Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by 

the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 

1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 94.2 176.5 244 341 1,006.3 708 798 922 4,290 

Consumptive use 93.4 165.5 229 323 997.8 687 744 859 4,099 

Coefficient 99 94 94 95 99 97 93 93 96 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Water delivered to farms (million gallons per day)—All 

water.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use (mgd).” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” Consumptive 

use is from the column “Consumptive use (mgd).” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 7 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 7 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “freshwater consumed (mgd).” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 
Appendix 1 137 

Table 1-8. Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use 

by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 

to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 82 122 130 230 250 248 197 293 

Consumptive use 82 122 120 200 240 229 168 200 

Coefficient 100 100 92 87 96 92 85 68 88 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn 11 26 80 57 53 25 120 146 

Consumptive use 6.9 26 64 57 52 25 120 142 

Coefficient 63 100 80 100 98 100 100 97 95 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 13 23 35 34 150 40 68 104 

Consumptive use 12 23 35 32 150 38 59 97 

Coefficient 92 100 100 94 100 95 87 93 96 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 14 9.2 6.6 7.2 6.8 10 27 48 

Consumptive use 14 9.2 6.6 6.9 6.6 7.7 19 48 

Coefficient 100 100 100 96 97 77 70 100 92 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 44 85 100 150 380 358 392 484 

Consumptive use 44 77 95 140 370 345 364 449 

Coefficient 100 91 95 93 97 96 93 93 95 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn 1.0 10 5.9 4.3 21 2.7 15 28 

Consumptive use 1.0 10 5.9 4.3 21 2.7 15 28 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 2.4 3.6 2.7 14 6.5 27 32 48 

Consumptive use 2.4 3.6 2.7 14 6.5 27 32 48 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 61 73 26 21 56 67 23 39 

Consumptive use 61 73 26 21 56 67 23 39 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn 2.5 8.9 7.1 2.7 4.9 7.7 12 12 

Consumptive use 2.5 8.9 6.8 2.6 4.9 7.3 11 11 

Coefficient 100 100 96 96 100 95 92 92 95 

Maine 

Total withdrawn .88 2.5 8.9 8.5 6.1 1.9 1.8 27 

Consumptive use .88 2.5 8.8 8.5 5.8 1.9 1.8 24 

Coefficient 100 100 99 100 95 100 100 89 94 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 5.3 6.1 6.6 9.5 20 34 29 62 

Consumptive use 5.3 6.1 6.6 9.4 19 34 29 57 

Coefficient 100 100 100 99 95 100 100 92 96 
138 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-8. Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use 

by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 

to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 7.5 11 58 33 19 16 100 82 

Consumptive use 3.3 11 43 33 19 16 100 81 

Coefficient 44 100 74 100 100 100 100 99 94 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 28 82 77 96 130 306 371 567 

Consumptive use 28 66 55 76 100 221 269 421 

Coefficient 100 80 71 79 77 72 73 74 75 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 1.4 2.1 2.8 5.4 1.6 .6 .9 6.3 

Consumptive use 1.3 2.1 2.0 5.3 1.3 .6 .8 5.7 

Coefficient 93 100 71 98 81 100 89 90 91 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 35 54 76 140 55 132 58 125 

Consumptive use 35 53 70 110 45 119 42 46 

Coefficient 100 98 92 79 82 90 72 37 77 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn .22 .6 4.5 4.6 5.0 3.4 2.1 2.3 

Consumptive use .22 .5 3.4 4.6 4.5 3.4 2.1 2.3 

Coefficient 100 83 76 100 90 100 100 100 93 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 11 3.1 4.2 8.6 12 8.9 38 24 

Consumptive use 11 3.1 3.8 8.1 9.2 5.3 23 24 

Coefficient 100 100 90 94 77 60 60 100 80 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn .75 .7 .1 2.2 1.4 .5 .5 3.9 

Consumptive use .71 .7 .1 2.2 1.0 .5 .5 3.5 

Coefficient 95 100 100 100 71 100 100 90 92 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn 36 27 35 20 28 52 36 30 

Consumptive use 35 26 34 12 17 34 23 18 

Coefficient 97 96 97 60 61 65 64 60 75 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3 3.7 0 0 

Consumptive use 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3 3.7 0 0 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 100 - - 100 

District of Columbia 

Total withdrawn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Coefficient 
Appendix 1 139 

Table 1-8. Irrigation water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by 

USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use 

by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 

to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 194.15 286 316.1 371 367.8 663.4 719.3 1,056.5 3,974 

Consumptive use 188.81 267.9 269.4 312.2 311.5 543.4 572.2 808.5 3,274 

Coefficient 97 94 85 84 85 82 80 77 82 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Water delivered to farms (million gallons per day)—All 

water.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use (mgd).” 

2

 Murray (1968, tables 11 and 12). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use (mgd).” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 7 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 7 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total water withdrawn (million gallons per day)—All water.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “freshwater consumed (mgd).” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 7 and 8). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 15 and 16). Total withdrawn is from the column “Million gallons per day—Withdrawals, by source—Total.” 

Consumptive use is from the column “Million gallons per day—Consumptive use, fresh water.” 
140 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-9. Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use numbers. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the 

sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 

were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

Total withdrawn 

Consumptive use 

Coefficient 

92 

85 

92 

78 

78 

100 

44 

44 

100 

29 

23 

79 

71 

71 

100 

35 

32 

91 

45 

45 

100 

32 

32 

100 

73 

73 

100 

84 

77 

92 

62 

62 

100 

41 

40 

98 

27 

21 

78 

69 

62 

90 

33 

30 

91 

38 

37 

97 

28 

23 

82 

72 

72 

100 

Great Lakes Basin 

86 

82 

95 

84 

78 

93 

84 

77 

92 

Illinois 

42 

42 

100 

42 

42 

100 

65 

65 

100 

Indiana 

46 

46 

100 

65 

59 

91 

42 

42 

100 

Michigan 

31 

28 

90 

25 

22 

88 

22 

19 

86 

Minnesota 

68 

68 

100 

77 

76 

99 

68 

68 

100 

New York 

38 

34 

89 

38 

34 

89 

58 

52 

90 

Ohio 

40 

39 

98 

58 

54 

93 

40 

36 

90 

Pennsylvania 

28 

18 

64 

51 

38 

75 

61 

41 

67 

Wisconsin 

71 

71 

100 

70 

70 

100 

75 

75 

100 

78 

69 

88 

57 

49 

86 

48 

41 

86 

25 

22 

88 

63 

63 

100 

20 

18 

90 

41 

41 

100 

70 

61 

87 

90 

73 

81 

72 

62 

86 

52 

41 

79 

46 

36 

78 

23 

19 

83 

65 

65 

100 

25 

23 

92 

33 

32 

97 

53 

40 

75 

68 

55 

81 

61 

53 

87 

45 

36 

80 

46 

37 

80 

13 

12 

92 

62 

62 

100 

33 

30 

91 

26 

25 

96 

55 

41 

75 

64 

51 

80 

91 

94 

91 

85 

99 

90 

96 

78 

93 
Appendix 1 141 

Table 1-9. Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed 

from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use numbers. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the 

sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and data from 1985 to 1995 

were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 407 370 364 426 431 414 365 344 3121 

Consumptive use 398 347 346 395 398 368 311 294 2,857 

Coefficient 98 94 95 93 92 89 85 85 92 

1

 MacKichan and Kammerer (1961, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use 

is from the column “Livestock use—Consumed.” 

2

 Murray, 1968 (tables 8 and 9). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive use is from the column 

“Livestock use—Consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Livestock use—Water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Livestock use—Fresh-water consumed.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Livestock use—Consumptive use.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Livestock—Consumptive use.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Livestock—Consumptive use.” 
142 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-10. Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 64 60 79 95 110 142 90 107 

Consumptive use 58 51 65 76 86 85 78 92 

Coefficient 91 85 82 80 78 60 87 86 79 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn 13 11 12 8.6 9.2 44 7.5 7.2 

Consumptive use 13 11 12 8.5 9.2 30 6.8 6.0 

Coefficient 100 100 100 99 100 68 91 83 86 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 130 120 140 180 150 184 125 123 

Consumptive use 130 120 140 170 140 155 111 111 

Coefficient 100 100 100 94 93 84 89 90 93 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 38 51 31 38 41 59 33 18 

Consumptive use 38 50 30 32 40 28 33 18 

Coefficient 100 98 97 84 98 47 100 100 87 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 290 310 260 260 270 300 236 223 

Consumptive use 290 300 250 250 270 279 217 205 

Coefficient 100 97 96 96 100 93 92 92 96 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn 3.0 2.3 2.5 3.0 2.2 8.4 1.2 1.2 

Consumptive use 3.0 2.3 2.5 3.0 2.2 1.8 1.0 1.0 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 21 83 83 71 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 1.8 2.2 1.7 2.9 2.0 1.9 2.4 4.1 

Consumptive use .9 1.0 1.4 2.3 2.0 1.9 2.4 3.7 

Coefficient 50 45 82 79 100 100 100 90 82 

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 140 150 130 120 130 172 118 109 

Consumptive use 130 150 130 120 130 172 118 109 

Coefficient 93 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn 31 38 40 46 39 50 32 45 

Consumptive use 31 37 40 46 39 50 32 45 

Coefficient 100 97 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Maine 

Total withdrawn 3.4 3.5 2.8 0 1.7 29 1.7 1.8 

Consumptive use 3.4 3.5 2.6 0 1.7 25 1.5 1.6 

Coefficient 100 100 93 - 100 86 88 89 90 
Appendix 1 143 

Table 1-10. Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 8.8 11 11 11 11 23 10 11 

Consumptive use 8.8 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 

Coefficient 100 100 100 100 100 48 100 91 87 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 3.0 2.7 2.1 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.8 

Consumptive use 2.7 2.4 2.3 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.4 

Coefficient 90 89 --­ 100 100 100 100 78 95 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 71 110 110 150 65 41 52 76 

Consumptive use 71 100 100 140 58 41 52 76 

Coefficient 100 91 91 93 89 100 100 100 95 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 1.8 1.4 1.3 .9 .8 1.2 1.0 .8 

Consumptive use 1.6 1.4 1.3 .8 .7 .2 .8 .5 

Coefficient 89 100 100 89 88 17 80 63 79 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 4.7 3.0 2.4 2.3 3.0 3.1 1.5 1.2 

Consumptive use 3.3 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.5 3.1 1.5 1.2 

Coefficient 70 70 88 91 83 100 100 100 84 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn .4 .4 .2 .2 .2 2.3 .2 .4 

Consumptive use .3 .3 .3 .2 .2 2.0 .1 .3 

Coefficient 75 75 --­ 100 100 87 50 75 86 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 30 30 34 38 42 65 21 8.4 

Consumptive use 30 30 34 34 42 28 21 8.4 

Coefficient 100 100 100 89 100 43 100 100 85 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn 6.6 5.4 8.3 8.7 9.2 5.6 6.0 5.1 

Consumptive use 6.0 4.9 8.4 8.7 9.2 1.1 5.4 4.6 

Coefficient 91 91 --­ 100 100 20 90 90 88 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn 22 19 29 25 28 53 28 36 

Consumptive use 17 15 23 15 17 5.4 28 36 

Coefficient 77 79 79 60 61 10 100 100 65 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 8.9 7.2 6.9 7.4 7.6 26 4.7 5.1 

Consumptive use 8.9 7.1 6.0 6.4 6.7 22 4.0 4.4 

Coefficient 100 99 87 86 88 85 85 86 89 
144 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-10. Livestock water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use 

coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the 

Great Lakes Basin. —Continued 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, 

computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1960–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. Data from 1960 to 1980 were reported in two significant figures and 

data from 1985 to 1995 were reported in three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19601 19652 19703 19754 19805 19856 19907 19958 1960–95 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 336.4 386.1 382.2 416.8 342.9 482.8 281.3 306.9 2,935 

Consumptive use 317.9 368 364.9 390.9 323.4 365.8 279.3 303.1 2,713 

Coefficient 95 95 95 94 94 76 99 99 92 

1

 MacKichan and Kemmerer (1961, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawn—All water.” Consumptive use is from the column “Livestock use—Consumed.” 

2

 Murray, 1968 (tables 8 and 9). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Livestock use—Consumed.” 

3

 Murray and Reeves (1972, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive 

use is from the column “Livestock use—Water consumed.” 

4

 Murray and Reeves (1977, tables 6 and 13). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—All water.” Consumptive 

use is from the column “Livestock use—Fresh-water consumed.” 

5

 Solley and others (1983, tables 3 and 4). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock use—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Livestock use—Consumptive use.” 

6

 Solley and others (1988, tables 9 and 10). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column 

“Consumptive use.” 

7

 Solley and others (1993, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Livestock—Consumptive use.” 

8

 Solley and others (1998, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Livestock —Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is 

from the column “Livestock—Consumptive use.” 
Appendix 1 145 

Table 1-11. Animal specialties water-use category: total withdrawals, water 

consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the 

Great Lakes Basin and Great Lakes States. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use 

data. The 1990–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the 

sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area.] 

Statistic 19901 19952 1990–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 20 8.6 28.6 

Consumptive use 2.4 1.8 4.2 

Coefficient 12 21 15 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 11 11 22 

Consumptive use 11 11 22 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn .5 .6 1.1 

Consumptive use .5 .5 1.0 

Coefficient 100 83 91 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 6.3 .6 6.9 

Consumptive use .8 .6 1.4 

Coefficient 13 100 20 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 2.2 .4 2.6 

Consumptive use 2.2 .4 2.6 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

New York 

Total withdrawn .5 .5 1.0 

Consumptive use .5 .5 1.0 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn .5 .7 1.2 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 0 .6 .6 

Consumptive use 0 .6 .6 

Coefficient - 100 100 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 31 29 60 

Consumptive use 3.1 2.8 5.9 

Coefficient 10 10 10 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 52 43.4 95.4 

Consumptive use 18.1 16.4 34.5 

Coefficient 35 38 36 

1

 Solley, and others (1993, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Animal 

specialties—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Animal specialties— 

Consumptive use.” 

2

 Solley and others (1998, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Animal 

specialties—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Animal Specialties— 

Consumptive use.” 
146 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-12. Animal specialties water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the 

total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1990–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area.] 

Statistic 19901 19952 1990–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 9.4 26 

Consumptive use 1.5 1.3 

Coefficient 16 5 8 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn .6 12 

Consumptive use .6 9.5 

Coefficient 100 79 80 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 7.4 18 

Consumptive use 4.6 4.6 

Coefficient 62 26 36 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 168 188 

Consumptive use 23 26 

Coefficient 14 14 14 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 32 32 

Consumptive use 17 13 

Coefficient 53 41 47 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn .3 .3 

Consumptive use .3 .3 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 0 0 

Consumptive use 0 0 

Coefficient - - -

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 2.4 .5 

Consumptive use 2.4 .5 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn .9 .9 

Consumptive use .9 .9 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Maine 

Total withdrawn 0 0 

Consumptive use 0 0 

Coefficient - - -

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 9.4 24 

Consumptive use 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 

Statistic 19901 19952 1990–95 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn .2 8.2 

Consumptive use .2 6.5 

Coefficient 100 79 80 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 2.5 1.0 

Consumptive use 2.5 1.0 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 0 .1 

Consumptive use 0 .1 

Coefficient - 100 100 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn .6 .3 

Consumptive use .6 .3 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn .2 3.2 

Consumptive use .1 2.6 

Coefficient 50 81 79 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 28 28 

Consumptive use 28 28 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn 0 .2 

Consumptive use 0 .2 

Coefficient - 100 100 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn .9 .1 

Consumptive use .9 .1 

Coefficient 100 100 100 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn .1 13 

Consumptive use .1 .1 

Coefficient 100 1 2 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 45.5 79.8 125.3 

Consumptive use 36.0 40.6 76.6 

Coefficient 79 51 61 

1

 Solley, and others (1993, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Animal specialties—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Animal specialties—Consumptive use.” 

2

 Solley and others (1998, tables 17 and 18). Total withdrawn is from the column “Animal specialties—Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Animal Specialties—Consumptive use.” 
 

 

Appendix 1 147 

Table 1-13. Commercial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 

consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin and Great 

Lakes States. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1985–95 coefficient 

was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic 

area. The 1985–95 compilations rounded data to three significant figures.] 

Statistic 19851 19902 19953 1985–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 776 746 752 

Consumptive use 73 69 82 

Coefficient 9 9 11 10 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 577 672 544 

Consumptive use 64 54 44 

Coefficient 11 8 8 9 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 79 165 212 

Consumptive use 5.5 25 32 

Coefficient 7 15 15 14 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 374 375 294 

Consumptive use 27 30 31 

Coefficient 7 8 11 8 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 49 93 169 

Consumptive use 11 12 18 

Coefficient 22 13 11 13 

New York 

Total withdrawn 413 452 609 

Consumptive use 40 45 61 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 377 361 424 

Consumptive use 19 30 66 

Coefficient 5 8 16 10 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 214 229 247 

Consumptive use 46 23 11 

Coefficient 21 10 4 12 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 102 110 128 

Consumptive use 27 22 26 

Coefficient 26 20 20 22 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 2,185 2,454 2,627 7,269 

Consumptive use 239.5 241 289 703.5 

Coefficient 11 10 11 10 

1

 Solley and others (1988, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the column “Total—Consumptive Use.” 

2

 Solley and others (1993, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total Use—Withdrawals and 

deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 

3

 Solley and others (1998, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total Use—Withdrawals and 

deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 
148 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-14. Commercial water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS 

compilation year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes States. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the 

total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1985–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area.] 

Statistic 19851 19902 19953 1985–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

Total withdrawn 854 1,070 1,230 

Consumptive use 102 101 102 

Coefficient 12 9 8 10 

New England Region 

Total withdrawn 635 305 433 

Consumptive use 143 36 46 

Coefficient 23 12 11 16 

Ohio Region 

Total withdrawn 439 500 631 

Consumptive use 33 52 93 

Coefficient 8 10 15 11 

Tennessee Region 

Total withdrawn 108 167 156 

Consumptive use 10 16 18 

Coefficient 9 10 12 10 

Upper Mississippi Region 

Total withdrawn 628 867 861 

Consumptive use 76 83 86 

Coefficient 12 10 10 10 

Connecticut 

Total withdrawn 58 69 116 

Consumptive use 15 13 12 

Coefficient 26 19 10 16 

Delaware 

Total withdrawn 14 20 22 

Consumptive use 1.4 2.0 2.2 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 

Iowa 

Total withdrawn 42 86 108 

Consumptive use 5.5 11 14 

Coefficient 13 13 13 13 

Kentucky 

Total withdrawn 35 37 45 

Consumptive use 1.3 1.3 1.6 

Coefficient 4 4 4 4 

Maine 

Total withdrawn 40 58 37 

Consumptive use 13 5.5 3.7 

Coefficient 33 9 10 16 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 82 113 118 

Consumptive use 8.1 11 11 

Coefficient 10 10 9 10 

Statistic 19851 19902 19953 1985–95 

Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 514 132 200 

Consumptive use 112 13 25 

Coefficient 22 10 13 18 

Missouri 

Total withdrawn 78 81 73 

Consumptive use 5.4 5.5 5.3 

Coefficient 7 7 7 7 

New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 9.1 17 51 

Consumptive use 1.8 1.9 3.5 

Coefficient 20 11 7 9 

New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 151 157 197 

Consumptive use 7.5 6.3 7.5 

Coefficient 5 4 4 4 

Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn 15 28 21 

Consumptive use .6 2.7 2.1 

Coefficient 4 10 10 8 

Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 168 236 234 

Consumptive use 15 21 21 

Coefficient 9 9 9 9 

Vermont 

Total withdrawn 5.2 6.9 33 

Consumptive use 1.0 .9 2.4 

Coefficient 19 13 7 10 

Virginia 

Total withdrawn 92 208 193 

Consumptive use 12 25 23 

Coefficient 13 12 12 12 

West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 22 23 68 

Consumptive use 2.4 2.3 10 

Coefficient 11 10 15 13 

Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 1,325.3 1,271.9 1,516 4,113.2 

Consumptive use 202 122.4 144.3 468.7 

Coefficient 15 10 10 11 

1

 Solley and others (1988, tables 5 and 6). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the column 

“Total—Consumptive Use.” 2

 Solley and others (1993, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total Use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 3

 Solley and others (1998, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Total Use—Withdrawals and deliveries.” Consumptive use is from the 

column “Total use—Consumptive use.” 
Appendix 1 149 

Table 1-15. Mining water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and 

consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation year, for the Great Lakes Basin 

and Great Lakes States. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total withdrawn and consumptive-use 

data. The 1985–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum 

of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. The 1985–95 compilations rounded data to three 

significant figures.] 

Statistic 1985 1990 1995 1985–95 

Great Lakes Basin 

Total withdrawn 253 257 398 

Consumptive use 61 66 37 

Coefficient 24 26 9 18 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 104 94 75 

Consumptive use 48 46 35 

Coefficient 46 49 47 47 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 91 97 137 

Consumptive use .3 5.8 8.2 

Coefficient 0 6 6 4 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 61 56 58 

Consumptive use 2.3 2.2 3.0 

Coefficient 4 4 5 4 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 273 220 298 

Consumptive use 122 57 12 

Coefficient 45 26 4 24 

New York 

Total withdrawn 50 62 62 

Consumptive use 5.0 17 17 

Coefficient 10 27 27 22 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 78 243 93 

Consumptive use 11 140 52 

Coefficient 14 58 56 49 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 148 252 252 

Consumptive use 20 25 25 

Coefficient 14 10 10 11 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 0 .2 12 

Consumptive use 0 0 2.5 

Coefficient - 0 21 20 

Great Lakes States 

Total withdrawn 805 1,024.2 987 2,816.2 

Consumptive use 208.6 293 154.7 656.3 

Coefficient 26 29 16 23 

1

 Solley and others (1988, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals— 

Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 

2

 Solley and others (1993, tables 21 and 22). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals— 

Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 

3

 Solley and others (1998, tables 21 and 22). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals— 

Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 
150 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 1-16. Mining water-use category: total withdrawals, water consumed, and consumptive-use coefficients, by USGS compilation 

year, for water-resources regions and states climatically similar to the Great Lakes States. 

[Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the 

total withdrawn and consumptive-use data. The 1985–95 coefficient was calculated by dividing the sum of the consumptive use by the sum of the total withdrawn for each geographic area. The 1985–95 compilations rounded data to three significant figures.] 

Statistic 1985 1990 1995 1985–95 Statistic 1985 1990 1995 1985–95 

Mid-Atlantic Region Massachusetts 

Total withdrawn 227 416 330 Total withdrawn 2.0 5.0 3.2 

Consumptive use 27 81 36 Consumptive use .5 0 .3 

Coefficient 12 19 11 15 Coefficient 25 0 9 8 

New England Region Missouri 

Total withdrawn 13 20 24 Total withdrawn 28 25 24 

Consumptive use 1.5 2.2 3.8 Consumptive use 2.8 2.5 2.4 

Coefficient 12 11 16 13 Coefficient 10 10 10 10 

Ohio Region New Hampshire 

Total withdrawn 440 1,020 349 Total withdrawn 1.2 2.8 7.0 

Consumptive use 72 530 76 Consumptive use 0 .6 1.4 

Coefficient 16 52 22 37 Coefficient 0 21 20 18 

Tennessee Region New Jersey 

Total withdrawn 16 92 11 Total withdrawn 80 110 90 

Consumptive use 1.9 9.6 1.4 Consumptive use 8.0 8.8 7.2 

Coefficient 12 10 13 11 Coefficient 10 8 8 9 

Upper Mississippi Region Rhode Island 

Total withdrawn 213 158 138 Total withdrawn 2.7 6.8 6.2 

Consumptive use 76 33 24 Consumptive use .3 .7 .8 

Coefficient 36 21 17 26 Coefficient 11 10 13 11 

Connecticut Tennessee 

Total withdrawn 1.7 2.2 1.7 Total withdrawn 13 90 5.5 

Consumptive use 0 .4 .3 Consumptive use 1.1 9.9 .6 

Coefficient 0 18 18 13 Coefficient 8 11 11 11 

Delaware Vermont 

Total withdrawn 0 0 0 Total withdrawn 1.1 3.7 3.0 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 Consumptive use 0 .7 .6 

Coefficient - - - - Coefficient 0 19 20 17 

Iowa Virginia 

Total withdrawn 63 34 43 Total withdrawn 16 91 39 

Consumptive use 0 0 0 Consumptive use 1.9 11 4.7 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 Coefficient 12 12 12 12 

Kentucky West Virginia 

Total withdrawn 25 18 28 Total withdrawn 142 527 12 

Consumptive use .7 .5 .8 Consumptive use 29 369 2.7 

Coefficient 3 3 3 3 Coefficient 20 70 23 59 

Maine Climatically similar states 

Total withdrawn 4.0 3.7 5.0 Total withdrawn 400.7 968.2 272.8 1,641.7 

Consumptive use .6 .5 .9 Consumptive use 49.1 430.6 23.7 503.4 

Coefficient 15 14 18 16 Coefficient 12 44 9 31 

Maryland 

Total withdrawn 21 49 5.2 

Consumptive use 4.2 26 1.0 

Coefficient 20 53 19 41 

1

 Solley and others (1988, tables 13 and 14). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 2

 Solley and others (1993, tables 21 and 22). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 3

 Solley and others (1998, tables 21 and 22). Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use—Total.” 
 

References Cited in this Appendix 

MacKichan, K.A., 1957, Estimated use of water in the United 

States, 1955: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 398, 18 p. 

MacKichan, K.A, and Kammerer, J.C., 1961, Estimated use 

of water in the United States, 1960: U.S. Geological Survey 

Circular 456, 26 p. 

Murray, C.R., 1968, Estimated use of water in the United 

States, 1965: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 556, 53 p. 

Murray, C.R., and Reeves, E.B., 1972, Estimated use of water 

in the United States in 1970: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 676, 37 p. 

Murray, C.R., and Reeves, E.B., 1977, Estimated use of water 

in the United States in 1975: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 765, 39 p. 

Appendix 1 151 

Solley, W.B., Chase, E.B., and Mann, W.B., IV, 1983, Estimated use of water in the United States in 1980: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1001, 56 p. 

Solley, W.B., Merk, C.F., and Pierce, R.R., 1988, Estimated 

use of water in the United States in 1985: U.S. Geological 

Survey Circular 1004, 82 p. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A., 1993, Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1081, 76 p. 

Solley, W.B., Pierce, R.R., and Perlman, H.A., 1998, Estimated use of water in the United States in 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1200, 71 p. 
152 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-1. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for Great Lakes 

States. 

[Adapted from table 2b of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in 

billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the total 

withdrawn and water discharged data).] 

Total Water State Coefficient withdrawn discharged 

Illinois 296.2 257.8 13 

Indiana 754.1 678.0 10 

Michigan 521.7 495.3 5 

Minnesota 59.2 54.7 8 

New York 357.5 299.1 16 

Ohio 466.9 417.2 11 

Pennsylvania 714.4 632.1 12 

Wisconsin 236.3 218.3 8 

Great Lakes States, mean 3,406.3 3,052.5 10 

Table 2-2. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for states 

climatically similar to the Great Lakes Basin. 

[Adapted from table 2b of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in 

billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the total 

withdrawn and water discharged data). D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are 

included in higher level totals.] 

State Total 

withdrawn 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

Connecticut 65.8 63.3 4 

Delaware 165.9 D -

Iowa 100.5 94.0 6 

Kentucky 115.1 100.4 13 

Maine 138.9 134.1 3 

Maryland 185.1 174.1 6 

Massachusetts 130.4 124.7 4 

Missouri 38.3 33.1 14 

New Hampshire 23.7 D -

New Jersey 230.7 222.5 4 

North Carolina 188.6 152.2 19 

Rhode Island 5.2 5.2 0 

Tennessee 437.1 344.9 21 

Vermont 4.7 4.4 6 

Virginia 262.0 240.0 8 

West Virginia 288.3 275.3 5 

All states, mean1 2,190.7 1,968.2 10 

1

 “All states, mean” refers to only the states in the table. The total withdrawn, water discharged and coefficient 

do not include New Hampshire and Delaware data since the water-discharged data were withheld for this report. 
 

 

 

Appendix 2 153 

Table 2-3. Census of Manufacturing: water use in manufacturing by water-resources regions and major standard industrial 

classification groups; total withdrawals, water discharged, and calculated consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas in 1983. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 7c of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the 

percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the middle and top numbers). D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies; data are included in higher level totals.] 

Great New Middle Upper Statistic Ohio Tennessee Mean Lakes England Atlantic Mississippi 

SIC code 20: Food and kindred products 

Total withdrawn 70.8 12.1 76.7 29 4.9 106.4 

Water discharged 62.4 6.7 62.7 22.4 3.8 98.3 

Coefficient 12 45 18 23 22 8 15 

SIC code 21: Tobacco products 

Total withdrawn - - - .4 - ­

Water discharged - - - .3 - ­

Coefficient - - - 25 - - 25 

SIC code 22: Textile mill products 

Total withdrawn D 5.71 7.5 1.3 5.5 .3 

Water discharged D 5.81 6.4 1.2 4.7 .3 

Coefficient - - 15 8 15 0 14 

SIC code 24: Lumber and wood products 

Total withdrawn 1.3 - D - - ­

Water discharged 1.2 - D - - ­

Coefficient 8 - - - - - 8 

SIC code 25: Furniture and fixtures 

Total withdrawn .6 - .12 .3 - .4 

Water discharged .6 - D .3 - .4 

Coefficient 0 - - 0 - 0 0 

SIC code 26: Paper and allied products 

Total withdrawn 228.5 208.3 138.8 129.4 82.4 87.4 

Water discharged 181.1 200.2 118.5 127.4 78.8 78.4 

Coefficient 21 4 15 2 4 10 10 

SIC code 28: Chemicals and allied products 

Total withdrawn 183.6 50.7 293.1 402.5 417.7 51.6 

Water discharged 174.3 50.7 282.6 389.9 324.7 43.8 

Coefficient 5 0 4 3 22 15 10 

SIC code 29: Petroleum and coal products 

Total withdrawn D - 297.8 21.8 - 12.2 

Water discharged D - 285.6 15.4 - 7.9 

Coefficient - - 4 29 - 35 7 

SIC code 30: Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products 

Total withdrawn 11.5 3.0 7.1 9.0 2 9.3 

Water discharged 9.5 2.6 6.6 8.6 1.6 8.2 

Coefficient 17 13 7 4 20 12 11 

SIC code 31: Leather and leather products 

Total withdrawn 1.2 .9 1.6 - - ­

Water discharged 1.2 .9 1.6 - - ­

Coefficient 0 0 0 - - - 0 

SIC code 32: Stone, clay, and glass products 

Total withdrawn 49.2 2.0 21.8 17.5 1.51 13.8 

Water discharged 46.7 1.7 20.3 15.4 1.71 11.8 

Coefficient 5 15 7 12 - 14 8 
154 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-3. Census of Manufacturing: water use in manufacturing by water-resources regions and major standard industrial 

classification groups; total withdrawals, water discharged, and calculated consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes 

Basin and climatically similar areas in 1983. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 7c of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the 

percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the middle and top numbers). D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for 

individual companies; data are included in higher level totals.] 

Statistic Great 

Lakes 

New 

England 

Middle 

Atlantic Ohio Tennessee Upper Mississippi Mean 

SIC code 33: Primary metal industries 

Total withdrawn 1,218.2 6.1 335.4 480.5 4.51 48.7 

Water discharged 1,119.6 5.6 294.7 426.1 5.21 30.9 

Coefficient 8 8 12 11 - 37 10 

SIC code 34: Fabricated metal products 

Total withdrawn 14.3 14.1 4.9 7.6 .4 5.2 

Water discharged 14.0 14.0 4.8 7.3 .3 5.1 

Coefficient 2 1 2 4 25 2 2 

SIC code 35: Machinery, except electrical 

Total withdrawn 13.2 13.8 21.5 9.5 .7 41.8 

Water discharged 10.3 13.6 21.1 8.3 .7 41.4 

Coefficient 22 1 2 13 0 1 5 

SIC code 36: Electric and electronic equipment 

Total withdrawn 12.6 4.71 18.6 10.7 1.8 4.1 

Water discharged 11.4 6.11 17.1 10.6 1.7 3.9 

Coefficient (%) 10 - 8 1 6 5 6 

SIC code 37: Transportation Equipment 

Total withdrawn 48.8 D 18.5 14.4 1.4 6.0 

Water discharged 44.6 D 17.6 12.2 1.3 5.2 

Coefficient 9 - 5 15 7 13 9 

SIC code 38: Instruments and related products 

Total withdrawn D 6.3 1.6 .8 D 1.4 

Water discharged D 6.1 1.5 .8 .82 1.4 

Coefficient - 3 6 0 - 0 3 

SIC code 39: Miscellaneous 

Total withdrawn .7 1.3 .7 .2 - .5 

Water discharged .6 1.2 .6 .2 - .5 

Coefficient 14 8 14 0 - 0 9 

All SIC Codes 

Total withdrawn 1,942.7 365.5 1,247.8 1,136.0 524.0 389.9 

Water discharged 1,759.5 351.4 1,145.1 1,047.2 425.5 338.1 

Coefficient 9 4 8 8 19 13 10 

1

 Denotes that the total withdrawn is less than water discharged. These data were not used in calculation of the mean. 

2

 Denotes that, although a number was disclosed, other data were not and a coefficient cannot be determined. These data are not included in the totals or 

means. 
Appendix 2 155 

Table 2-4. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for major groups. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 1c of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient 

is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the middle and top numbers). D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in higher level totals.] 

Statistic 1983 1978 1973 1968 1964 1959 1954 Mean 

SIC code 20: Food and kindred products 

Total withdrawn 648 740 804 811 760 624 616 

Water discharged 552 649 745 753 688 571 550 

Coefficient 15 12 7 7 9 8 11 10 

SIC code 21: Tobacco products 

Total withdrawn 5 5 5 6 3 3 3 

Water discharged 4 3 4 5 2 2 2 

Coefficient 20 40 20 17 33 33 33 27 

SIC code 22: Textile mill products 

Total withdrawn 133 163 178 154 148 135 184 

Water discharged 116 147 160 136 135 120 147 

Coefficient 13 10 10 12 9 11 20 12 

SIC code 24: Lumber and wood products 

Total withdrawn 86 157 160 101 151 140 133 

Water discharged 71 112 123 93 123 126 109 

Coefficient 17 29 23 8 19 10 18 18 

SIC code 25: Furniture and fixtures 

Total withdrawn 3 24 6 4 3 3 7 

Water discharged 3 24 6 4 3 2 4 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 33 43 8 

SIC code 26: Paper and allied products 

Total withdrawn 1,899 1,963 2,415 2,252 2,064 1,937 1,786 

Water discharged 1,768 1,765 2,301 2,078 1,942 1,824 1,620 

Coefficient 7 10 5 8 6 6 9 7 

SIC code 28: Chemicals and allied products 

Total withdrawn 3,401 4,326 4,176 4,476 3,899 3,240 2,685 

Water discharged 2,980 3,910 3,911 4,175 3,688 3,061 2,550 

Coefficient 12 10 6 7 5 6 5 7 

SIC code 29: Petroleum and coal products 

Total withdrawn 818 1,173 1,283 1,435 1,398 1,319 1,245 

Water discharged 699 964 1,159 1,217 1,317 1,204 1,134 

Coefficient 15 18 9 15 6 9 9 11 

SIC code 30: Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products 

Total withdrawn 76 187 154 

Water discharged 63 168 143 

Coefficient 17 10 7 10 

SIC code 31: Leather and leather products 

Total withdrawn 6 9 8 16 14 12 20 

Water discharged 6 8 8 15 12 12 18 

Coefficient 0 11 0 6 14 0 20 7 

SIC code 32: Stone, clay, and glass products 

Total withdrawn 155 207 219 251 249 2511 279 

Water discharged 133 182 192 218 218 264 254 

Coefficient 14 12 12 13 12 9 12 

SIC code 33: Primary metal industries 

Total withdrawn 2,363 3,392 4,941 5,005 4,600 3,702 3,842 

Water discharged 2,112 3,132 4,757 4,696 4,312 3,551 3,682 

Coefficient 11 8 4 6 6 4 4 6 
156 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-4. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for major groups. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 1c of the U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Total withdrawn and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient 

is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the middle and top numbers). D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in higher level totals.] 

Statistic 1983 1978 1973 1968 1964 1959 1954 Mean 

SIC code 34: Fabricated Metal products 

Total withdrawn 65 90 107 

Water discharged 61 86 101 

Coefficient 6 4 6 5 

SIC code 35: Machinery, except electrical 

Total withdrawn 120 165 171 189 158 171 1141 

Water discharged 105 159 165 181 150 165 116 

Coefficient 13 4 4 4 5 4 5 

SIC code 36: Electric and electronic equipment 

Total withdrawn 74 116 104 127 102 93 114 

Water discharged 70 112 97 118 88 88 90 

Coefficient 5 3 7 7 14 5 21 9 

SIC code 37: Transportation Equipment 

Total withdrawn 153 235 242 313 242 260 231 

Water discharged 139 220 227 293 233 229 215 

Coefficient 9 6 6 6 4 1 7 7 

SIC code 38: Instruments and related products 

Total withdrawn 30 36 37 38 29 23 19 

Water discharged 28 33 35 36 26 22 18 

Coefficient 7 8 5 5 10 4 5 7 

SIC code 39: Miscellaneous 

Total withdrawn 4 8 12 14 13 14 21 

Water discharged 4 7 12 13 12 13 21 

Coefficient 0 13 0 7 8 7 0 5 

All SIC Codes 

Total withdrawn 10,039 12,992 15,024 15,467 14,007 12,131 11,570 

Water discharged 8,914 11,682 14,144 14,276 13,111 11,445 10,789 

Coefficient 11 10 6 8 6 6 7 8 

1

 Denotes that the total withdrawn is less than water discharged. These data were not used in the calculation of the mean. 
Appendix 2 157 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water intake 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

All manufacturing industries 

All manufacturing industries 10,038.9 8,913.7 11 

Food and kindred products 

Food and kindred products 647.7 552.0 15 

201 Meat products 92.7 85.5 8 

2011 311611 Meat packaging plants 44.7 41.9 6 

2013 311612 Sausages and other prepared meats 11.3 9.8 13 

311613 

2016 311615 Poultry dressing plants 35.2 32.4 8 

2017 311999 Poultry and egg processing 1.5 1.4 7 

202 Dairy products 38.8 35.9 7 

2021 311512 Creamery butter 1.0 .9 10 

2022 311513 Cheese, natural and processed 10.2 9.3 9 

2023 311511 Condensed and evaporated milk 9.5 8.6 9 

311514* 

2024 311520 Ice cream and frozen desserts 1.4 1.1 21 

2025 311514* Fluid milk 16.7 16.0 4 

203 Preserved fruits and vegetables 100.1 88.6 11 

2032 311422 Canned specialties 17.4 13.4 23 

311999 

2033 311421 Canned fruits and vegetables 30.6 26.3 14 

2034 311211 Dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and soups 5.6 4.9 13 

311423 

311999 

2035 311941 Pickles, sauces, and salad dressings 2.4 1.9 21 

2037 311411 Frozen fruits and vegetables 40.0 38.8 3 

2038 311412 Frozen specialties 4.1 3.4 17 

204 Grain mill products 79.3 74.3 6 

2041 311211 Flour and other grain mill products .8 .5 38 

2043 311230 Cereal breakfast foods 5.9 3.8 36 

311920 

2044 311212 Rice milling .6 .4 33 

2045 311822 Blended and prepared foods .1 .1 0 

2046 311221 Wet corn milling 68.3 66.6 2 

311225 

2047 311111 Dog, cat, and other pet food 2.9 2.1 28 

2048 311119 Prepared feeds, n.e.c. .8 .7 13 

311611 
158 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry Coefficient code code intake discharged 

Food and kindred products—Continued 

205 Bakery products 3.0 2.0 33 

2051 311812 Bread, cake, and related products 1.9 1.1 42 

2052 311812 Cookies and crackers 1.1 .9 18 

311821
 

311919
 

206 Sugar and confectionery products 178.7 142 21 

2061 311311 Raw cane sugar 83.1 63 24 

2062 311312 Cane sugar refining 62.8 54.9 13 

2063 311313 Beet sugar 14.6 9.6 34 

2065 311330 Confectionary products (D) (D) 

311340 

2066 311320 Chocolate and cocoa products (D) (D) 

311330 

207 Fats and oils 34.1 28.9 15 

2074 311223 Cottonseed oil mills 1.2 (D) 

311225 

2075 311222 Soybean oil mills 20.1 18.2 9 

311225 

2076 311223 Vegetable oil mills, n.e.c. .5 (D) 

311225 

2077 311613 Animal and marine fats and oils 2.8 1.5 46 

311711 

311712 

2079 311222 Shortening and cooking oils 9.5 7.8 18 

311223 

311225 

208 Beverages 88.5 68.2 23 

2082 311942 Malt beverages 53.3 41.4 22 

312120 

2083 311213 Malt 7.3 6.5 11 

2084 312130 Wines, brandy, and brandy spirits 2.6 2.3 12 

2085 312130* Distilled liquor, except brandy 10.3 9.0 13 

312140 

2086 312111 Bottled and canned soft drinks 12.3 6.8 45 

312112 

2087 311920 Flavoring extracts and syrups, n. e. c. 2.7 2.3 15 

311930 

311942 

311999 
Appendix 2 159 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

209 

2091 

2092 

2095 

2097 

2098 

2099 

NAICS 

code 

311711 

311712 

311920 

312113 

311823 

111998 

311212 

311340 

311423 

311823 

311830 

311911 

311920 

311941 

311942 

311991 

311999 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Food and kindred products—Continued 

Miscellaneous foods and kindred products 32.6 

Canned and cured seafoods 3.0 

Fresh and frozen packaged fish 4.4 

Roasted coffee (D) 

Manufactured ice 1.2 

Macaroni and spaghetti .1 

Food preparations, n. e. c. (D) 

Water 

discharged 

26.5 

(D) 

4.3 

(D) 

.9 

(D) 

11.3 

Coefficient 

19 

2 

25 

21 

2111 312221 

Tobacco products 

Cigarettes 

Tobacco products 

5.3 

(D) 

4.0 

3.1 

25 

22 Textile mill products 

Textile products 

132.6 115.6 13 

2211 313210* Weaving mills, cotton 20.7 17.9 14 

2221 313210* Weaving mills, manmade fiber and silk 18.1 14.5 20 

2231 313210* 

313311 

313312* 

Weaving and finishing mills, wool 2.7 2.6 4 

2241 313221 Narrow fabric mills .5 .4 20 

225 

2251 

2252 

313312* 

315111 

313312 

315111 

315119 

Knitting mills 

Women’s hosiery, except socks 

Hosiery, n. e. c. 

27.2 

.7 

.9 

25.3 

.7 

.8 

7 

0 

11 
160 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

2253 

2254 

2257 

2258 

NAICS 

code 

313312 

315191 

315192 

313312 

315192 

313241 

313312 

313249 

313312* 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Textile products—Continued 

Knit outerwear mills 2.2 

Knit underwear mills .6 

Circular knit fabric mills 17.2 

Warp knit fabric mills 5.6 

Water 

discharged 

2.1 

.5 

16.2 

4.9 

Coefficient 

5 

17 

6 

13 

226 

2261 

2262 

2269 

313311* 

313311* 

313312 

313311* 

Textile finishing, except wool 

Finishing plants, cotton 

Finishing plants, manmade 

Finishing plants, n. e. c. 

39.0 

6.8 

26.9 

5.4 

33.6 

6.2 

22.5 

4.8 

14 

9 

16 

11 

227 

2272 

2279 

Floor covering mills 

Tufted carpets and rugs 

Carpets and rugs, n. e. c. 

11.3 

10.4 

1.0 

9.8 

(D) 

(D) 

13 

228 

2281 

2282 

2284 

313111 

313112 

313113 

313312 

Yarn and thread mills 

Yarn mills, except wool 

Throwing and winding mills 

Thread mills 

8.1 

4.6 

1.8 

(D) 

7.4 

4.2 

1.6 

1.5 

9 

9 

11 

229 

2291 

2294 

2295 

2296 

2297 

2298 

313320 

314992 

313230 

314991 

313111 

Miscellaneous textile goods 

Felt goods, except woven felts and hats 

Processed textile waste 

Coated fabrics, not rubberized 

Tire cord and fabric 

Nonwoven fabrics 

Textile goods, n. e. c. 

5.0 

1.4 

.2 

.6 

.3 

1.5 

(D) 

4.3 

1.4 

(D) 

.6 

.2 

1.0 

(D) 

14 

0 

0 

33 

33 

24 

Lumber and wood products 

Lumber and wood products 86.0 71.0 17 

2411 113310 Logging camps and logging contractors .2 .3 

242 Sawmills and planing mills 68.4 58.9 14 
Appendix 2 161 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

2421 

NAICS 

code 

321113 

321912 

321918 

321920 

321999 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Lumber and wood products—Continued 

Sawmills and planing mills 68.4 

Water 

discharged 

58.9 

Coefficient 

14 

243 

2431 

2435 

2436 

321911 

321918 

321211 

321212 

Millwork, plywood, and structural members 

Millwork 

Hardwood veneer and plywood 

Softwood veneer and plywood 

7.6 

.4 

.3 

6.9 

4.4 

.4 

.1 

3.9 

42 

0 

67 

43 

249 

2491 

2492 

2499 

321214 

321114 

321920 

321999 

333415 

337125 

339113 

339999 

Miscellaneous wood products 

Wood preserving 

Particleboard 

Wood products, n. e. c. 

9.6 

(D) 

(D) 

8.5 

7.3 

(D) 

(D) 

6.6 

24 

22 

25 Furniture and fixtures 

Furniture and fixtures 

3.4 3.3 3 

251 

2511 

2514 

337122 

337215 

337121 

337124 

337215 

Household furniture 

Wood household furniture 

Metal household furniture 

1.9 

1.5 

.2 

1.8 

1.5 

.2 

5 

0 

0 

252 

2522 337214 

Office furniture 

Metal office furniture 

.6 

.6 

.6 

.6 

0 

0 

254 

2542 337215 

Partitions and fixtures 

Metal partitions and fixtures 

.5 

(D) 

.5 

(D) 

0 

259 

2591 337920 

Miscellaneous furniture and fixtures 

Drapery hardware and blinds and shades 

(D) 

(D) 

(D) 

(D) 

26 Paper and allied products 1,899.3 1,768.1 7 
162 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

2611 

NAICS 

code 

322110 

322121 

322122 

322130 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Furniture and fixtures—Continued 

Pulp mills 283.2 

Water 

discharged 

282.7 

Coefficient 

0 

2621 322121 

322122 

Paper mills, except building paper 1,009.5 958.2 5 

2631 322130 Paperboard mills 538.7 462.3 14 

264 

2641 

2643 

2646 

2647 

2649 

Miscellaneous converted paper products 

Paper coating and glazing 

Bags, except textile bags 

Pressed and molded pulp goods 

Sanitary paper products 

Converted paper products 

56.5 

6.5 

5.6 

32.1 

8.9 

3.3 

55.0 

6.2 

5.5 

(D) 

9.4 

3.2 

3 

5 

2 

-­

3 

265 

2651 

2653 

2654 

2655 

322211 

322214 

Paperboard containers and boxes 

Folding paperboard boxes 

Corrugated and solid fiber boxes 

Sanitary food containers 

Fiber cans, drums, and similar products 

6.6 

4.1 

.4 

.9 

3.3 

5.9 

(D) 

.4 

.9 

3.2 

11 

0 

0 

3 

2661 Building paper and board mills 4.8 3.9 19 

28 

Chemicals and allied products 

Chemical and allied products 3,400.7 2,979.8 12 

281 

2812 

2813 

2816 

2819 

325181 

325120 

325131 

325182 

325131 

325188 

325998 

331311 

Industrial inorganic chemicals 

Alkalies and chlorine 

Industrial gases 

Inorganic pigments 

Industrial inorganic chemicals n. e. c. 

885.0 

157.4 

18.6 

48.9 

660.1 

758.4 

142.9 

11.9 

49.5 

554.0 

14 

9 

36 

-­

16 

282 

2821 

2822 

2823 

2824 

325211 

325212 

325221 

325412 

Plastics materials and synthetics 

Plastics materials and resins 

Synthetic rubber 

Cellulosic manmade fiber 

Organic fibers, noncellulosic 

427.1 

132.7 

62.9 

71.7 

159.9 

391.7 

108.0 

58.5 

67.6 

157.5 

8 

19 

7 

6 

2 
Appendix 2 163 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic	 NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry	 Coefficient code code	 intake discharged 

Chemicals and allied products—Continued 

283 Drugs 90.5 87.1 4 

2831 Biological products .8 .5 38 

2833 325411 Medicinals and botanicals 55.3 54.9 1 

2834 325412 Pharmaceutical preparations 34.4 31.6 8 

284 Soaps, cleaners, and toilet goods 64.8 38.8 40 

2841 325611* Soap and other detergents 16.6 14.3 14 

2842 325612 Polishes and sanitation goods (D) 3.8 

2843 325613 Surface active agents (D) (D) 

2844 325611* Toilet preparations 2.3 (D) 

325620 

2851	 325510 Paints and allied products 2.1 2.1 0 

286 Industrial organic chemicals 1515.9 1381.0 9 

2861 325191 Gum and wood chemicals (D) 6.5 

2865 325110* Cyclic crudes and intermediates (D) 30.9 

325132
 

325192
 

2869	 325110* Industrial organic chemicals n.e.c. 1,467.6 1,343.5 8 

325120 

325188 

325192 

325193 

325199 

325998 

287 Agriculture chemicals 305 202.7 34 

2873 325311 Nitrogenous fertilizers 70.5 45.2 36 

2874 325312 Phosphatic fertilizers 216.1 142.2 34 

2879 325320 Agricultural chemicals n.e.c. 18.4 15.3 17 

289 Miscellaneous chemical products 110.3 95.7 13 

2891 325520 Adhesives and sealants (D) (D) 

2892 325920 Explosives (D) (D) 

2895 325182 Carbon pack 1.6 .3 81 

2899 311942 Chemical preparations, n.e.c. 63.3 52.4 17 

325199
 

325510
 

325998
 
164 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

29 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Petroleum and coal products 

Petroleum and coal products 818.4 

Water 

discharged 

699.3 

Coefficient 

15 

2911 324110 Petroleum refining 814.4 695.1 15 

295 

2951 

2952 

324121 

324122 

Paving and roofing materials 

Paving and mixtures and blocks 

Asphalt felts and coatings 

2.6 

.8 

1.8 

3.3 

1.9 

1.4 

-­

-­

22 

299 

2992 

2999 

324191 

324199 

Miscellaneous petroleum and coal products 

Lubricating oils and greases 

Petroleum and coal products 

1.4 

.2 

1.3 

.9 

.1 

.7 

36 

50 

46 

30 

3011 326211 

Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products 

Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products 76.0 

Tires and inner tubes (D) 

62.6 

16.5 

18 

3021 316211 Rubber and plastics footwear .1 .1 0 

3041 Rubber and plastics hose and belting (D) 7.4 

3069 313320 

314911 

315299 

315999 

326192 

326299 

339113 

339920 

339932 

Fabricated rubber products, n.e.c. 8.3 7.4 11 

3079 Miscellaneous plastics products 41.9 33.6 20 

31 

Leather and leather products 

Leather and leather products 6.1 5.7 7 

3111 316110 Leather tanning and finishing (D) (D) 

32 

Stone, clay, and glass products 

Stone, clay, and glass products 154.7 132.8 14 

3211 327211 Flat glass 4.8 4.7 2 

322 Glass and glassware, pressed or blown 13.3 11.4 14 
Appendix 2 165 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry Coefficient code code intake discharged 

Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued 

3221 327213 Glass containers 7.1 5.9 17 

3229 327212 Pressed and blown glass, n.e.c. 6.2 5.5 11 

3231 327215 Products of purchased glass 7.2 7.1 1 

3241 327310 Cement, hydraulic 80.0 68.7 14 

325 Structural clay products 1.4 .7 50 

3253 327122 Ceramic wall and floor tile (D) (D) 

3255 327124 Clay refractories (D) (D) 

326 Pottery and related products 1.5 1.1 27 

3261 327111 Vitreous plumbing fixtures .5 .4 20 

3262 327112 Vitreous china food utensils .3 .3 0 

3264 327113 Porcelain electrical supplies .6 .4 33 

327 Concrete, gypsum, and plaster products 10.8 6.5 40 

3272 327999 Concrete products (D) 3 

327332 

327390 

3273 327320 Ready-mixed concrete 2.1 1.5 29 

3274 327410 Lime 4.3 3.2 26 

3275 327420 Gypsum products 3.7 1.5 59 

3281 327991 Cut stone and stone products 1.1 1.1 0 

329 Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral products 34.5 31.5 9 

3291 327910 Abrasive products 3.5 3.5 0 

327999 

3292 327999 Asbestos products 1.8 1.4 22 

336340 

336350 

3293 Gaskets, packing, and sealing devices 1.8 .9 50 

3295 212324 Minerals, ground or treated 18.7 18.8 -­

212325
 

212393
 

212399
 

327992
 

3296 327993 Mineral wool 6.2 4.4 29 

3297 327125 Nonclay refractories 2.0 2.0 0 

3299 327112 Nonmetallic mineral products, n.e.c. .5 .5 0 

327420
 

327999
 
166 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic	 NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry	 Coefficient code code	 intake discharged 

Primary metal industries 

33 Primary metal industries	 2,362.5 2,112.0 11 

331 Blast furnace and basic steel products 2,077.6 1,829.8 12 

3312 324199 Blast furnaces and steel mills 2,038.9 1,829.8 10 

331111 

331221 

3313 331112 Electrometallurgical products 1.2 1.5 -­

3315 331222 Cold finishing of steel shapes 2.1 2.1 0 

3316 331221 Cold finishing of steel shapes 11.3 11.0 3 

3317 331210 Steel pipe and tubes 24.1 23.7 2 

332 Iron and steel foundries 69.1 51.5 25 

3321 331511* Gray iron foundries 63.0 45.7 27 

3322 331511* Malleable iron foundries (D) 1.4 

3324 331512 Steel investment foundries (D) .5 

3325 331513 Steel foundries, n.e.c. 4.2 3.9 7 

333 Primary nonferrous metals 125.6 111.6 11 

3331 331511* Primary copper (D) 10.6 

3332 Primary lead .7 .3 57 

3333 Primary zinc 7.2 (D) 

3334 331312 Primary aluminum 67.8 62.9 7 

3339 331419 Primary nonferrous metals, n.e.c. (D) (D) 

3341	 331314 Secondary nonferrous metals, n.e.c. 3.7 3.1 16 

331423 

331492 

335 Nonferrous rolling and drawing 79.9 71.4 11 

3351 331421 Copper rolling and drawing 18.6 14.8 20 

3353 331315 Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil 37.0 34.6 6 

3354 331316 Aluminum extruded products 3.9 3.7 5 

3355 331319 Aluminum rolling and drawing, n.e.c. 7.1 6.9 3 

3356 331491 Nonferrous rolling and drawing, n.e.c. 6.6 4.9 26 

3357 331319 Nonferrous wire drawing and insulating 6.8 6.5 4 

331422
 

331491
 

335921
 

335929
 

336 Nonferrous foundries 2.4 2.2 8 

3361 Aluminum foundries 1.7 (D) 

3362 Brass, bronze, and copper foundries .2 (D) 
Appendix 2 167 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water intake 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

Primary metal industries—Continued 

3369 331528 Non ferrous foundries, n.e.c. 0.5 0.5 0 

339 Miscellaneous primary metal products 4.1 4.0 2 

3398 332811 Metal heat treating 1.5 1.5 0 

3399 331111 Primary metal products n.e.c. 2.6 2.6 0 

331221 

331314 

331423 

331492 

332618 

332813 

Fabricated metal products 

34 Fabricated metal products 65.4 61.4 6 

341 Metal cans and shipping containers 6.6 6.0 9 

3411 332431 Metal cans 6.2 5.6 10 

3412 332211 Metal barrels, drums, and pails .4 .4 -­

342 Cutlery, hand tools, and hardware 14.9 14.4 3 

3421 332211 Cutlery (D) (D) 

332212* 

3423 332212* Hand and edge tools 1.0 .9 10 

3425 332213 Hand saws and saw blades .4 (D) 

3429 332510 Hardware, n.e.c. (D) 2.9 

332722 

332919 

332999 

333923 

334518 

336399 

337215 

343 Plumbing and heating, except electric 3.0 3.0 0 

3431 332998 Metal sanitary ware .6 .7 -­

3432 332913 Plumbing fittings and brass goods 2.1 2.1 0 

332919 

332999 

3433 333414 Heating equipment, except electric .3 .2 33 

344 Fabricated structural metal products 7.0 6.0 14 

3441 332312 Fabricated structural metal 1.2 1.1 8 

3442 332321 Metal doors, sash, and trim .6 .6 0 

3443 332313 Fabricated structural metal 1.2 1.1 8 
168 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water intake 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

Fabricated metal products—Continued 

3444 332321 Sheet metal work 0.3 0.3 0 

323322 

332439 

333415 

3448 332311 Prefabricated metal buildings (D) (D) 

3449 332114 Miscellaneous metal work .6 .6 0 

332312 

332323

345 Screw machine products, bolts, etc 2.8 2.7 4 

3451 332721 Screw machine products .1 .1 0 

3452 332722 Bolts, nuts, rivets, and washers 2.7 2.6 4 

346 Metal forgings and stampings 10.1 9.7 4 

3462 332111 Iron and steel forgings 2.8 2.8 0 

3463 332112 Nonferrous forgings 1.4 1.4 0 

3465 336370 Automotive stampings 3.3 3.0 9 

3466 332115 Crowns and closures .3 .3 0 

3469 332116 Metal stampings, n.e.c. 2.3 2.2 4 

332214 

332439 

347 Metal services, n.e.c. 6.9 6.7 3 

3471 332813 Plating and polishing 6.0 5.8 3 

3479 332812 Metal coating and allied services .9 .9 0 

348 Ordnance and accessories, n.e.c. 6.7 6.0 10 

3482 332992 Small arms ammunition 1.4 1.2 14 

3483 332993 Ammunition, except for small arms, n.e.c. 2.2 2.0 9 

3484 332994 Small arms .8 .8 0 

3489 332995 Ordnance and accessories 2.3 2.0 13 

349 Miscellaneous fabricated metal products 7.5 6.8 9 

3493 332611 Steel springs, except wire .2 (D) 

3494 332919 Valves and pipe fittings 2.9 2.8 3 

332999 

3495 332612 Wire springs .1 .1 0 

334518 

3496 332214 Miscellaneous fabricated wire products .2 .2 0 

332618 

333924 

3497 322225 Metal foil and leaf 1.7 1.4 18 

332999 

3498 332996 Fabricated pipe and fittings .2 (D) 
Appendix 2 169 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water intake 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

Fabricated metal products—Continued 

3499 332117 

332439 

Fabricated metal products, n.e.c. 2.2 2.1 5 

332510 

332919 

332999 

336360 

337215 

Machinery, except electrical 

35 Machinery, except electrical 120.0 104.9 13 

351 Engines and turbines 32.0 20.7 35 

3519 333618 Internal combustion engines, n.e.c. (D) (D) 

352 Farm and garden machinery 32.8 32.0 2 

3523 332212 Farm machinery and equipment 32.1 31.3 2 

332323 

333111 

333922 

3524 332212 Lawn and garden equipment .7 .7 0 

333112 

353 Construction and related machinery 11.4 11.8 -­

3531 333120 Construction machinery 10.3 10.8 -­

333923 

336510 

3532 333131 Mining machinery (D) (D) 

3533 333132 Oil field machinery .8 (D) 

354 Metalworking machinery 4.0 3.7 8 

3541 333512 Machine tools, metal cutting types 3.0 2.7 10 

3542 333513 Machine tools, metal forming types (D) (D) 

3544 333511 Special dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures .2 (D) 

333514 

3545 332212 Machine tool accessories (D) .4 

3546 333991 Power driven hand tools .3 .3 0 

355 Special industry machinery 6.4 6.2 3 

3551 Food products machinery (D) .3 

3554 333291 Paper industries machinery (D) .1 

3555 333293 Printing trades machinery (D) .1 
170 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic	 NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry	 Coefficient code code	 intake discharged 

Machinery, except electrical—Continued 

3559	 332410 Special industry machinery, n.e.c. (D) (D) 

333111 

333220 

333295 

333298 

333319 

356 General industrial machinery 7.1 6.1 14 

3561 333911 Pumps and pumping machinery 1.6 1.5 6 

3562 332991 Ball and roller bearings 2.6 2.4 8 

3563 333912 Air and gas compressors 1.4 .7 50 

3564 333411 Blowers and fans (D) (D) 

333412 

3566 333612 Speed changers, drives, and gears .4 .4 0 

3568 333613 Power transmission equipment, n.e.c. .7 .7 0 

3569 314999 General industrial machinery, n.e.c. .2 .2 0 

333414
 

333999
 

357 Office and computing machines 15.0 13.3 11 

3573 Electronic computing equipment (D) 12.3 

3579 333313 Office machines, n.e.c. and typewriters (D) (D) 

334518
 

339942
 

358 Refrigeration and service machinery 9.6 9.6 0 

3585 333415 Refrigeration and heating equipment 9.2 9.3 -­

336391 

3586 333913 Measuring and dispensing pumps .2 .2 0 

3589 333319 Service industry machinery, n.e.c. (D) .1 

359 Miscellaneous machinery, except electrical 1.7 1.5 12 

3592 336311 Carburetors, pistons, rings, valves 1.5 1.3 13 

3599 332710 Machinery, except electrical, n.e.c. .2 .2 0 

332813
 

332999
 

333319
 

333999
 

334519
 

336399
 
Appendix 2 171 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

36 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Electric and electronic equipment 

Electric and electronic equipment 74.1 

Water 

discharged 

70.3 

Coefficient 

5 

361 

3612 

3613 

335311 

335313 

Electric distributing equipment 

Transformers 

Switchgear and switchboard apparatus 

3.4 

1.6 

1.9 

4.7 

2.9 

1.8 

-­

-­

5 

362 

3621 

3622 

3623 

3624 

3629 

335312 

335991 

335999 

Electrical industrial apparatus 

Motors and generators 

Industrial controls 

Welding apparatus, electric 

Carbon and graphite products 

Electrical industrial apparatus, n.e.c. 

9.5 

4.8 

(D) 

.2 

3.8 

(D) 

9.4 

5.0 

.6 

.2 

3.5 

.1 

1 

-­

0 

8 

363 

3631 

3632 

3633 

3634 

3635 

3639 

335221 

335222 

335224 

333414 

335211 

339999 

335212 

333298 

335212 

335228 

Household appliances 

Household cooking equipment 

Household refrigerators and freezers 

Household laundry equipment 

Electric housewares and fans 

Household vacuum cleaners 

Household appliances, n.e.c. 

9.4 

1.8 

2.6 

2.1 

1.0 

(D) 

1.5 

9.1 

1.7 

2.5 

2.2 

.9 

.2 

1.5 

3 

6 

4 

-­

10 

0 

364 

3641 

3643 

3644 

3645 

3646 

3648 

335110 

335931 

332212 

335932 

335121 

335122 

335129 

Electric lighting and wiring equipment 

Electric lamps 

Current-carrying wiring devices 

Non-current-carrying wiring devices 

Residential lighting fixtures 

Commercial lighting fixtures 

Lighting equipment, n.e.c. 

6.9 

(D) 

2.1 

1.7 

.3 

.1 

.2 

6.0 

.8 

2.1 

1.6 

.3 

.1 

(D) 

13 

0 

6 

0 

0 

365 

3651 

3652 

334310 

334612 

512220 

Radio and TV receiving equipment 

Radio and TV receiving sets 

Phonograph records and prerecorded tape 

2.3 

1.7 

.6 

2.4 

1.8 

.5 

-­

-­

17 

366 

3661 334210 

334418 

Communication equipment 

Telephone and telegraph apparatus 

13.3 

3.5 

11.7 

3.2 

12 

9 
172 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

NAICS 

code Industry group and industry Water intake 

Water 

discharged Coefficient 

Electric and electronic equipment—Continued 

3662 Radio and TV communication equipment 9.8 8.5 13 

367 Electronic components and accessories 23.6 21.9 7 

3671 334411 Electron tubes, all types 2.8 2.6 7 

3674 334413 Semiconductors and related devices 11.6 10.7 8 

3675 334414 Electronic capacitors 3.0 2.9 3 

3676 334415 Electronic resistors .4 .4 0 

3678 334417 Electronic connectors 1.4 1.2 14 

3679 334220 Electronic components, n.e.c. 4.6 4.2 9 

334310 

334418 

334419 

369 Miscellaneous electrical equipment and 5.6 5.1 9 

supplies 

3691 335911 Storage, batteries 1.9 1.5 21 

3693 X-ray electromedical, and electrotherapeutic .4 (D) 

apparatus 

3694 336322 Engine electrical equipment 2.7 2.7 0 

3699 333319 Electrical equipment and supplies, n.e.c. (D) .2 

333618 

333992 

335129 

335999 

Transportation equipment 

37 Transportation equipment 152.8 139.2 9 

371 Motor vehicles and equipment 66.4 59.6 10 

3711 336112 Motor vehicles and car bodies 22.6 21.0 7 

336120 

336211 

336992 

3713 336211 Truck and bus bodies (D) .2 

3714 336211 Motor vehicle parts and accessories 43.5 38.4 12 

336312 

336322 

336330 

336340 

336350 

336399 

372 Aircraft and parts 58.4 54.1 7 

3721 336411 Aircraft 18.0 (D) 

541710 
Appendix 2 173 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

3724 

3728 

NAICS 

code 

336412 

541710 

332912 

336411 

336413 

541710 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Transportation equipment—Continued 

Aircraft engines and engine parts (D) 

Aircraft equipment, n.e.c. (D) 

Water 

discharged 

(D) 

4.5 

Coefficient 

373 

3731 336611 

488390 

Ship and boat building and repairing 

Ship building and repairing 

16.3 

16.3 

15.8 

15.8 

3 

3 

3743 333911 

336510 

Railroad equipment 3.1 2.8 10 

3751 336991 Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts 1.0 .9 10 

376 

3761 

3764 

3769 

336414 

541710 

336415 

541710 

336419 

541710 

Guided missiles, space vehicles, parts 

Guided missiles and space vehicles 

Space propulsion units and parts 

Space vehicle equipment, n.e.c. 

6.5 

2.8 

3.3 

.4 

4.9 

2.2 

2.3 

.4 

25 

21 

30 

0 

379 

3795 

3799 

336992 

333924 

336214 

336399 

336999 

Miscellaneous transportation equipment 

Tanks and tank components 

Transportation equipment, n.e.c. 

1.2 

1.1 

(D) 

1.1 

1.0 

(Z) 

8 

9 

38 

Instruments and related products 

Instruments and related products 29.8 27.6 7 

3811 Engineering and scientific instruments .2 .2 0 

382 

3822 

3823 

3824 

3825 

334512 

334513 

334514* 

334514* 

334515 

Measuring and controlling devices 

Environmental controls 

Process control instruments 

Fluid meters and counting devices 

Instruments to measure electricity 

4.2 

1.0 

.8 

.4 

1.7 

3.8 

1.0 

.7 

.3 

1.5 

10 

0 

13 

25 

12 
174 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic 

code 

3829 

NAICS 

code 

334514 

334518 

334519 

339112 

Industry group and industry Water 

intake 

Instruments and related products—Continued 

Measuring and controlling devices, n.e.c. 0.3 

Water 

discharged 

0.3 

Coefficient 

0 

3832 Optical instruments and lenses (D) .4 0 

384 

3841 

3842 

332994 

339111 

339112 

322291 

334510 

339113 

339999 

Medical instruments and supplies 

Surgical and medical instruments 

Surgical appliances and supplies 

2.2 

(D) 

1.4 

2.1 

.8 

1.3 

5 

7 

3861 325992 

333315 

Photographic equipment and supplies 17.3 15.7 9 

3873 334518 Watches, clocks, and watchcases (D) (D) 

39 

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries 

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries 4.3 4.0 7 

394 

3944 

3949 

336991 

339932 

339920 

Toys and sporting goods 

Games, toys, and children’s vehicles 

Sporting and athletic goods, n.e.c. 

1.5 

(D) 

1.0 

1.4 

.4 

.9 

7 

10 

395 

3951 339941 

Pens, pencils, and office and art supplies 

Pens and mechanical pencils 

.6 

(D) 

.6 

(D) 

0 

396 

3961 

3964 

339914 

339993 

Costume jewelry and notions 

Costume jewelry 

Needles, pins, and fasteners 

.8 

(D) 

.6 

.8 

(D) 

(D) 

0 

399 Miscellaneous manufacturers 1.2 1.1 8 
Appendix 2 175 

Table 2-5. Census of Manufacturing: summary of 1983 water-use statistics for industry groups and individual 

industries. —Continued 

[Adapted from table 2a of U.S. Bureau of Census (1986). Water intake and water discharged are in billion gallons; coefficient is the percentage 

of water withdrawn that was consumed (computed from the water intake and water discharged data). SIC code (Standardized Industrial Classification code) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) are two classification systems. * denotes a NAICS code that relates 

to more than one SIC code, n.e.c., not elsewhere classified. D, withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies; data are included in 

higher level totals. Z, less than half the unit shown. A double dash (--) means water discharged was greater than water intake (no coefficient). ] 

Sic	 NAICS Water Water Industry group and industry	 Coefficient code code	 intake discharged 

3999	 316110 

321999 

325998 

326199 

332211 

332212 

332812 

332999 

333319 

335121 

335211 

337127 

339932 

339999 

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries—Continued 

Manufacturing industries, n.e.c.	 0.6 (D) 
CONSUMPTIVE USE COEFFICIENTS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

176 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 3–1. Consumptive-use coefficients used by Great Lakes jurisdictions, by water-use category. 

[Facsimile of table from Great Lakes Commission (2005a).] 

Water 

VANIA

N 

Use 

OIS

NA

NIGA

TAESO

NEW YORK 

RIO

SYL

EC

ONSI

Category 

ILLININDIAMICHMINNOHIOONTAPENNQUÉBWISC

Public Supply 10-15% 15% 10-15% 10-15% 10% 10-15% 15% 10% 10-15% 10-15% 

Self-Supply 

Domestic 10-15% 15% 10-15% 10-15% 10% 10-15% 15% 10% 10-15% 10-15% 

Self-Supply 

Irrigation 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 78% 90% 90% 70% 

Self-Supply 

Livestock 80% 80% 80% 80% 90% 80% 80% 80% 80% 90% 

Self-Supply 

Industrial Varies by 

plant & SIC 

code 

6% 10-15% 

Varies by 

plant & SIC 

code 

25% 

10%; salt 

mining is 

90% 

Varies by 

plant & SIC 

code 

Varies by 

plant & SIC 

code 

10% for 

pulp & 

paper 

industry 

10.2% for 

manufacturing & 

mining 

Self-Supply 

Thermoelectric 

(Fossil Fuel) Individually 

estimated 

based on 

the quantity 

of make-up 

water 

2% 

1-2% for 

plants using 

oncethrough 

cooling; 

individual 

analysis for 

wet cooling 

towers 

2% 2% 

Individually 

estimated 

based on 

the quantity 

of make-up 

water 

.9% based 

on reports 

of increased 

local lake 

evaporation 

due to 

discharge of 

heated 

water to 

lakes 

NA 

(Pennsylvania has 

no facilities 

in the basin) 

10%; 

estimates 

obtained 

from USGS 

report 

.5-1% 

Self-Supply 

Thermoelectric 

(Nuclear) Individually 

estimated 

based on 

the quantity 

of make-up 

water 

NA 

(Indiana has 

no facilities 

in the basin) 

1-2% for 

plants using 

oncethrough 

cooling; 

individual 

analysis for 

wet cooling 

towers 

NA 

(Minnesota 

has no 

facilities in 

the basin) 

5% 

14% based 

on reports 

of increased 

local lake 

evaporation 

due to 

discharge of 

heated 

water to 

lakes 

.9% based 

on reports 

of increased 

local lake 

evaporation 

due to 

discharge of 

heated 

water to 

lakes 

NA 

(Pennsylvania has 

no facilities 

in the basin) 

NA 

(Qúebec 

has no 

facilities in 

the basin) 

.5-1% 

Hydroelectric Coefficient for all states and provinces is 0% 

Self-Supply 

Other Varies 

based on 12% 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

Varies 

based on 

use use use use use use use use use 
Appendix 3 177 

Table 3–2. Total water use by category for the Great Lakes Basin, by year, from the Great Lakes Commission annual reports, 1998–2002. 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data. For 2001 and 2002, the annual 

report used units of billion gallons per day. For consistency’s sake, these numbers are listed in million gallons per day.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Public supply 

Total withdrawn 6,711.70 6,311.48 6,060.85 6,030 5,990 31,104.03 

Consumptive use 719.26 664.19 630.85 610 600 3224.3 

Coefficient 11 11 10 10 10 10 

Self-supply domestic 

Total withdrawn 453.18 459.60 463.72 470 460 2,306.5 

Consumptive use 57.46 58.34 58.99 60 60 294.79 

Coefficient 13 13 13 13 13 13 

Self-supply irrigation 

Total withdrawn 434.10 434.48 376.65 420 510 2,175.23 

Consumptive use 374.57 373.81 264.15 300 380 1,692.53 

Coefficient 86 86 70 71 75 78 

Self-supply livestock 

Total withdrawn 131.43 125.92 126.73 140 140 664.08 

Consumptive use 103.02 100.00 69.88 90 90 452.9 

Coefficient 78 79 55 64 64 68 

Self-supply industrial 

Total withdrawn 4,934.15 4,860.68 4,792.90 4,410 4,380 23,377.73 

Consumptive use 492.18 446.63 442.57 390 370 2,141.38 

Coefficient 10 9 9 9 8 10 

Self-supply thermoelectric (fossil fuel) 

Total withdrawn 19,791.20 20,082.56 18,052.49 15,750 15,680 89,356.25 

Consumptive use 215.40 242.66 223.34 180 170 1,031.4 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Self-supply thermoelectric (nuclear) 

Total withdrawn 14,133.04 14,190.55 14,908.09 15,070 15,140 73,441.68 

Consumptive use 206.22 208.45 223.42 220 220 1,078.09 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Self-supply other 

Total withdrawn 639.50 1,341.32 1,264.79 1,190 1,190 5,625.61 

Consumptive use .03 32.55 32.97 30 30 125.55 

Coefficient 0 2 3 3 3 2 

1

 1998 report, water use data in gallons, page 20, Water-Use by Category—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

2

 1999 report, water use data in gallons, page 15, Water-Use by Category—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total. “ Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

3

 2000 report, water use data in gallons, page 16, Water-Use by Category—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

4

 2001 report, water use data in gallons, page 17, Water-Use by Category—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

5 2002 report, water use data in gallons, page 17, Water-Use by Category – All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 

6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
178 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas
 

Table 3–3. Self-supplied industrial water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002.
 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data. ] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 20.33 12.09 19.67 17.41 12.84 82.34 

Consumptive use .00 .00 1.96 .00 .00 1.96 

Coefficient 0 0 10 0 0 2 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 1,911.82 1,895.88 1,799.75 1,746.05 1,663.39 9,016.89 

Consumptive use 114.71 113.75 107.99 104.77 99.80 541.02 

Coefficient 6 6 6 6 6 6 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 681.96 668.18 698.22 632.95 694.17 3,375.48 

Consumptive use 68.19 66.82 69.84 63.29 69.42 337.56 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 357.09 357.15 365.22 206.86 341.75 1,628.07 

Consumptive use 74.99 35.72 36.52 20.69 34.18 202.1 

Coefficient 21 10 10 10 10 12 

New York 

Total withdrawn 360.24 357.66 342.07 337.01 241.16 1,638.14 

Consumptive use 90.07 89.42 85.52 84.26 60.30 409.57 

Coefficient 25 25 25 25 25 25 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 244.82 211.82 210.07 198.97 156.62 1,022.3 

Consumptive use 24.48 21.18 21.00 19.90 15.66 102.22 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 923.22 923.22 923.22 923.22 923.22 4,616.10 

Consumptive use 58.16 58.16 58.16 58.16 58.16 290.80 

Coefficient 6 6 6 6 6 6 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 41.94 41.94 41.94 30.65 30.65 187.12 

Consumptive use 8.95 8.95 8.95 5.31 5.31 37.47 

Coefficient 21 21 21 17 17 20 

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 125.48 125.48 125.48 125.48 125.48 627.40 

Consumptive use 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 12.55 62.75 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 267.26 267.26 267.26 187.00 187.00 1,175.78 

Consumptive use 40.08 40.08 40.08 19.07 19.07 158.38 

Coefficient 15 15 15 10 10 13 

Total 

Total withdrawn 4,934.16 4,860.68 4,792.90 4,405.6 4,376.28 23,369.62 

Consumptive use 492.18 446.63 442.57 388 374.45 2,143.83 

Coefficient 10 9 9 9 9 9 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 10, Industrial, water-use by jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 11, Industrial water-use by jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 10, Industrial water-use by jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 10, Industrial water-use by jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 10, Industrial water-use by jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
Appendix 3 179 

Table 3–4. Fossil fuel power water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and years, 1998–2002. 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 727.05 601.31 709.69 736.03 698.57 3,472.65 

Consumptive use .00 .00 14.19 .00 .00 14.19 

Coefficient 0 0 2 0 0 0 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 828.67 1,138.68 1,157.16 1,021.98 750.90 4,897.39 

Consumptive use 16.58 22.78 23.15 20.44 15.02 97.97 

Coefficient 2 2 2 2 2 2 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 6,446.63 6,420.17 6,394.79 6,368.75 6,454.90 32,085.24 

Consumptive use 77.37 77.03 76.73 76.42 77.46 385.01 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 153.66 158.93 173.90 188.19 158.78 833.46 

Consumptive use 3.07 3.18 3.47 3.76 3.18 16.66 

Coefficient 2 2 2 2 2 2 

New York 

Total withdrawn 2,181.29 2,155.75 2,021.59 1,976.92 1,933.26 10,268.81 

Consumptive use 43.62 43.12 40.44 39.53 38.67 205.38 

Coefficient 2 2 2 2 2 2 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 2,045.14 2,034.94 2,160.05 2,183.92 2,407.88 10,831.93 

Consumptive use .03 20.35 21.60 21.84 24.08 87.9 

Coefficient 0 1 1 1 1 1 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 3,441.13 3,605.14 1,467.67 1,467.67 1,467.67 11,449.28 

Consumptive use 30.97 32.45 .00 .00 .00 63.42 

Coefficient 1 1 0 0 0 1 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 -

Coefficient - - - - - -

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 47.02 47.02 47.02 47.02 47.02 235.1 

Consumptive use 4.70 4.70 4.70 4.70 4.70 23.5 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 3,920.61 3,920.61 3,920.61 1,763.00 1,763.00 15,287.83 

Consumptive use 39.05 39.05 39.05 8.81 8.81 134.77 

Coefficient 1 1 1 0 0 1 

Total 

Total withdrawn 19,791.20 20,082.55 18,052.48 15,753.48 15,681.98 89,361.69 

Consumptive use 215.39 242.66 223.33 175.50 171.92 1,028.80 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 12, Fossil Fuel Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 13, Fossil Fuel Power Water-use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column Consumptive use. 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 12, Fossil Fuel Power Water-use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column Consumptive use. 4

 2001category tables, water use data in gallons, page 12, Fossil Fuel Power Water-use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column Consumptive use. 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 12, Fossil Fuel Power Water-use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column Consumptive use. 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
180 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas
 

Table 3–5. Nuclear power water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002.
 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 19.84 21.60 21.60 31.70 31.70 126.44 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .43 .00 .00 .43 

Coefficient 0 0 2 0 0 0 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Coefficient - - - - - -

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 182.00 621.94 1,313.34 2,196.19 2,305.68 6,619.15 

Consumptive use 3.46 11.81 24.95 41.73 43.80 125.75 

Coefficient 2 2 2 2 2 2 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Coefficient - - - - - -

New York 

Total withdrawn 1,354.57 1,324.99 1,350.21 1,395.53 1,374.53 6,799.83 

Consumptive use 67.73 66.25 67.51 69.78 68.73 340 

Coefficient 5 5 5 5 5 5 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 123.43 130.70 131.62 128.50 102.82 617.07 

Consumptive use 20.98 19.60 19.74 12.85 10.28 83.45 

Coefficient 17 15 15 10 10 14 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 10,487.27 10,125.39 10,125.39 10,125.39 10,125.39 50,988.83 

Consumptive use 94.39 91.13 91.13 91.13 91.13 458.91 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Coefficient - - - - - -

Quebec 

Total withdrawn .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Coefficient - - - - - -

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 1,965.93 1,965.93 1,965.80 1,195.00 1,195.00 8,287.66 

Consumptive use 19.66 19.66 19.66 5.97 5.97 70.92 

Coefficient 1 1 1 0 0 1 

Total 

Total withdrawn 14,133.04 14,190.55 14,908.09 15,072.31 15,135.12 73,439.11 

Consumptive use 206.22 208.45 223.42 221.46 219.91 1,079.46 

Coefficient 1 1 1 1 1 1 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 14, Nuclear Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 14, Nuclear Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 14, Nuclear Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 14, Nuclear Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 14, Nuclear Power, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
Appendix 3 181 

Table 3–6. Public-supply water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002. 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 1,119.47 1,112.60 1,095.80 1,088.08 1,071.40 

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 193.22 197.38 188.15 186.75 196.55 

Consumptive use 28.98 29.60 28.28 28.02 29.48 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 1,228.10 1,234.40 1,143.30 1,191.38 1,189.25 

Consumptive use 153.52 154.31 142.92 148.93 149.65 

Coefficient 13 13 13 13 13 13 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 44.78 41.30 40.55 40.12 40.44 

Consumptive use 9.40 4.13 4.06 4.01 4.05 

Coefficient 21 10 10 10 10 12 

New York 

Total withdrawn 710.63 719.48 719.93 724.11 694.17 

Consumptive use 71.06 81.22 80.64 80.97 77.78 

Coefficient 10 11 11 11 11 11 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 588.63 605.40 596.62 597.28 590.60 

Consumptive use 88.29 90.81 89.49 89.59 88.59 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 1,313.36 887.43 763.00 763.00 763.00 

Consumptive use 197.00 133.12 114.45 114.45 114.45 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 44.70 44.70 44.70 44.99 36.87 

Consumptive use 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.5 3.68 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 1,100.01 1,100.01 1,100.01 1,100.01 1,100.01 

Consumptive use 109.90 109.90 109.90 109.90 109.90 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 368.79 368.79 368.79 299.16 307.91 

Consumptive use 56.64 56.64 56.64 24.70 26.70 

Coefficient 15 15 15 8 9 13 

Total 

Total withdrawn 6,711.69 6,311.49 6,060.85 6,034.88 5,990.20 31,109.11 

Consumptive use 719.26 664.20 630.85 605.07 604.28 3,223.66 

Coefficient 11 11 10 10 10 10 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 2, Public Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 3, Public Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 2, Public Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 2, Public Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 2, Public Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
182 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas
 

Table 3–7. Domestic-supply water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002.
 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 3.88 4.31 4.38 4.39 4.10 

Consumptive use 0 0 .44 .00 .00 

Coefficient 0 0 10 0 0 2 

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 54.23 55.34 49.98 66.58 50.62 

Consumptive use 8.14 8.30 7.49 9.98 7.60 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn - - - - -

Consumptive use - - - - -

Coefficient -

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn 2.40 1.46 .79 1.33 1.38 

Consumptive use .19 .15 .08 .14 .14 

Coefficient 8 10 10 11 10 10 

New York 

Total withdrawn 121.40 123.17 131.59 127.34 129.32 

Consumptive use 12.14 12.32 13.16 12.73 12.93 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 57.85 60.63 60.89 56.99 56.70 

Consumptive use 8.68 9.08 9.12 8.55 8.51 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 105.24 106.51 107.91 107.91 107.91 

Consumptive use 15.79 15.97 16.19 16.19 16.19 

Coefficient 15 15 15 15 15 15 

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn 2.05 2.05 2.05 2.60 2.60 

Consumptive use .20 .20 .20 .26 .26 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 71.59 71.59 71.59 71.59 71.59 

Consumptive use 7.13 7.13 7.13 7.13 7.13 

Coefficient 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 34.54 34.54 34.54 34.00 34.00 

Consumptive use 5.18 5.18 5.18 3.40 3.40 

Coefficient 15 15 15 10 10 13 

Total 

Total withdrawn 453.18 459.6 463.72 472.73 458.22 2,307.45 

Consumptive use 57.45 58.33 58.99 58.38 56.16 289.31 

Coefficient 13 13 13 12 12 13 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 4, Domestic Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 5, Domestic Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 4, Domestic Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 4, Domestic Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 4, Domestic Supply, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column 

“Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
Appendix 3 183 

Table 3–8. Irrigation water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002. 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 0.00 0.00 0.00 - -

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 - -

Coefficient - - - - -

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 25.64 35.59 27.06 27.07 37.79 

Consumptive use 23.06 32.05 24.36 24.35 34.02 

Coefficient 90 90 90 90 90 90 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn 273.12 250.26 201.42 243.23 314.71 

Consumptive use 245.82 225.24 181.29 218.92 283.23 

Coefficient 90 90 90 90 90 90 

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn .38 .24 .31 .37 .37 

Consumptive use .34 .22 .28 .33 .33 

Coefficient 89 92 90 89 89 90 

New York 

Total withdrawn 3.60 3.66 2.05 5.65 8.59 

Consumptive use 3.21 3.22 1.84 5.08 7.72 

Coefficient 89 88 90 90 90 90 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 14.79 19.15 15.47 18.52 20.49 

Consumptive use 13.31 17.23 13.92 16.75 18.45 

Coefficient 90 90 90 90 90 90 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 59.45 68.46 73.22 73.22 73.22 

Consumptive use 46.38 53.40 - - -

Coefficient 78 78 - - - -

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn .35 .35 .35 .31 .31 

Consumptive use .32 .32 .32 .31 .31 

Coefficient 91 91 91 100 100 95 

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 9.22 9.22 9.22 9.22 9.22 

Consumptive use 8.30 8.30 8.30 8.30 8.30 

Coefficient 90 90 90 90 90 90 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 47.55 47.55 47.55 42.70 42.70 

Consumptive use 33.84 33.84 33.84 29.89 29.89 

Coefficient 71 71 71 70 70 71 

Total 

Total withdrawn 424.88 425.26 294.216 294.216 424.966 1,179.256 

Consumptive use 366.28 365.52 255.856 255.856 373.956 1,557.456 

Coefficient 86 86 876 886 886 886 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 6, Irrigation, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page7, Irrigation, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 6, Irrigation, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 6, Irrigation, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 6, Irrigation, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
184 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 3–9. Livestock water use and consumptive use for the Great Lakes Basin, by jurisdiction and year, 1998–2002. 

[Adapted from annual reports 1998–2002 from the Great Lakes Commission (2005a). Total withdrawn and consumptive use are in million gallons per day; coefficient is the percentage of water withdrawn that was consumed, computed from the total-withdrawn and consumptive-use data.] 

Statistic 19981 19992 20003 20014 20025 1998–20026 

Illinois 

Total withdrawn 0.00 0.00 0.00 - -

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 - -

Coefficient - - - - - -

Indiana 

Total withdrawn 6.11 6.01 6.07 5.86 5.44 

Consumptive use 4.89 4.81 4.86 4.70 4.35 

Coefficient 80 80 80 80 80 80 

Michigan 

Total withdrawn - - - - -

Consumptive use - - - - -

Coefficient - - - - - -

Minnesota 

Total withdrawn .25 .64 .71 .76 .65 

Consumptive use .00 .58 .64 .68 .58 

Coefficient 0 91 90 89 89 82 

New York 

Total withdrawn 20.57 20.57 20.57 20.57 20.57 

Consumptive use 18.51 18.51 18.51 18.51 18.51 

Coefficient 90 90 90 90 90 90 

Ohio 

Total withdrawn 13.02 14.17 14.51 12.46 12.38 

Consumptive use 10.41 12.45 11.61 9.97 9.90 

Coefficient 80 88 80 80 80 82 

Ontario 

Total withdrawn 43.69 36.74 37.09 37.09 37.09 

Consumptive use 34.95 29.39 - - -

Coefficient 80 80 - - - -

Pennsylvania 

Total withdrawn .00 .00 .00 - -

Consumptive use .00 .00 .00 - -

Coefficient - - - - - -

Quebec 

Total withdrawn 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 

Consumptive use 15.28 15.28 15.28 15.28 15.28 

Coefficient 80 80 80 80 80 80 

Wisconsin 

Total withdrawn 28.69 28.69 28.69 40.60 40.60 

Consumptive use 18.98 18.98 18.98 36.54 36.54 

Coefficient 66 66 66 90 90 78 

Total 

Total withdrawn 131.43 125.92 89.656 99.356 98.746 545.096 

Consumptive use 103.02 100.00 69.886 85.686 85.166 443.746 

Coefficient 78 79 786 866 866 816 

1

 1998 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 8, Livestock, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 2

 1999 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 9, Livestock, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 3

 2000 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 8, Livestock, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 4

 2001 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 8, Livestock, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 5

 2002 category tables, water use data in gallons, page 8, Livestock, Water-Use by Jurisdiction—All Facilities. Total withdrawn is from the column “Withdrawals—Total.” Consumptive use is from the column “Consumptive Use.” 6

 Includes the total of the 1998 to 2002 data for total withdrawn and total consumed. The consumptive-use coefficient was calculated by dividing the total 

consumed over the total withdrawn and multiplying it by 100. 
Appendix 4 185 

Table 4–1. Manufacturing water intake, consumption, and derived consumptive-use coefficients for the Canadian 

part of the Great Lakes Basin, 1972–91. 

[From Tate and Harris (1999, p. 50–55). Categories correspond to Canadian Standard Industrial Classifications. Intake and consumption 

data are in million cubic meters; coefficient is in percent. No withdrawals reported during the survey years for the categories tobacco products, furniture and fixtures, leather products, machinery, or miscellaneous manufacturing]

 Statistic 1972 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 Mean 

Food and beverages 

Intake 130 100 120 120 110 220 

Consumption 10 10 10 10 10 40 

Coefficient 8 10 8 8 9 18 11 

Textiles, knitting mills, and clothing 

Intake 70 90 80 70 200 60 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 30 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 15 0 5 

Wood products 

Intake 10 40 0 0 0 10 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Paper and allied products 

Intake 710 670 650 580 540 900 

Consumption 30 30 10 40 40 50 

Coefficient 4 4 2 7 7 6 5 

Chemicals and chemical products 

Intake 1,090 1,030 1,940 1,280 1,070 1,020 

Consumption 501 60 140 20 30 30 

Coefficient 5 6 7 2 3 3 4 

Petroleum and coal products 

Intake 310 320 350 310 250 220 

Consumption 10 0 20 10 10 10 

Coefficient 3 0 6 3 4 5 3 

Rubber and plastics 

Intake 340 40 20 20 40 20 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Non-metallic mineral products 

Intake 40 60 50 60 60 60 

Consumption 0 10 10 0 10 10 

Coefficient 0 17 20 0 17 17 12 

Primary metals 

Intake 1,120 1,430 1,120 1,170 1,100 1,040 

Consumption 50 40 20 20 40 30 

Coefficient 4 3 2 2 4 3 3 

Metal fabricating 

Intake 20 10 0 20 10 10 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Electrical products 

Intake 20 0 0 0 0 0 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Transportation equipment 

Intake 130 110 80 100 50 50 

Consumption 0 0 0 0 10 10 

Coefficient 0 0 0 0 20 20 7 

Total of the preceding 

Intake 3,990 3,900 4,410 3,730 3,430 3,610 

Consumption 150 150 210 100 180 180 

Coefficient 4 4 5 3 5 5 4 

1

 Value missing; derived by subtraction. 
186 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 4–2. Water intake, consumption, and derived consumptive-use coefficients for agriculture, electric power, 

water and other utilities, and wholesale and retail trade in the Canadian part of the Great Lakes Basin, 1972–91. 

[From Tate and Harris (1999, p. 50–55). Intake and consumption data are in million cubic meters; coefficient is in percent.]

 Statistic 1972 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 Mean 

Agriculture 

Intake 240 300 280 320 340 370 

Consumption 190 230 220 260 280 320 

Coefficient 79 77 79 81 82 86 81 

Electric power 

Intake 5,630 6,690 14,930 19,970 23,100 24,000 

Consumption 100 120 150 200 210 210 

Coefficient 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 

Water and other utilities 

Intake 950 990 1,020 1,120 1,090 970 

Consumption 190 200 200 230 220 170 

Coefficient 20 20 20 21 20 18 20 

Wholesale and retail trade 

Intake 360 450 460 390 460 390 

Consumption 70 90 90 80 90 110 

Coefficient 19 20 20 21 20 28 21 
Appendix 5 187 

Table 5–1. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for agriculture, irrigation, and livestock 

during base conditions. 

[From Water Resources Council (U.S.) (1978), v. 3, Analytical data summary. Withdrawal and consumption are in million gallons per day. The consumptiveuse coefficient (in percent) is computed by dividing the water consumption by 

the water withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Agriculture includes both irrigation and livestock. The withdrawals and 

consumption for agriculture are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation Service)] 

Consumptive-use Region Withdrawal Consumption coefficient 

Agriculture 

New England Region 53 43 81 

Mid-Atlantic Region 333 264 79 

Great Lakes Region 230 199 87 

Ohio Region 160 150 94 

Tennessee Region 41 38 93 

Upper Mississippi Region 422 383 91 

Irrigation 

New England Region 35 25 71 

Mid-Atlantic Region 265 196 74 

Great Lakes Region 145 114 79 

Ohio Region 47 37 79 

Tennessee Region 14 11 79 

Upper Mississippi Region 192 153 80 

Livestock 

New England Region 18 18 100 

Mid-Atlantic Region 68 68 100 

Great Lakes Region 85 85 100 

Ohio Region 113 113 100 

Tennessee Region 27 27 100 

Upper Mississippi Region 230 230 100 
188 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 5–2. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for steam electrical and manufacturing 

withdrawals during base conditions. —Continued 

[From Water Resources Council (U.S.) (1978), v. 3, Analytical data summary. Withdrawal and consumption are in 

million gallons per day. The consumptiveuse coefficient (in percent) is computed by dividing the water consumption 

by the water withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Steam electric withdrawals and consumption are from the Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), and the manufacturing withdrawals and consumption are 

from the Department of Commerce (Industry and Trade Administration, Office of Business Policy Analysis)] 

Consumptive-use Region Withdrawal Consumption coefficient 

Steam electrical 

New England Region 1,263 21 2 

Mid-Atlantic Region 7,463 103 1 

Great Lakes Region 24,362 175 1 

Ohio Region 21,022 324 2 

Tennessee Region 4,799 42 1 

Upper Mississippi Region 7,644 129 2 

Manufacturing 

New England Region 2,170 192 9 

Mid-Atlantic Region 5,416 607 11 

Great Lakes Region 13,220 1,474 11 

Ohio Region 10,881 817 8 

Tennessee Region 2,093 147 7 

Upper Mississippi Region 2,030 240 12 

Primary metals 

New England Region 132 4 3 

Mid-Atlantic Region 1,124 173 15 

Great Lakes Region 7,545 1,030 14 

Ohio Region 6,346 467 7 

Tennessee Region 77 12 16 

Upper Mississippi Region 315 41 13 

Chemicals 

New England Region 109 15 14 

Mid-Atlantic Region 1,850 179 10 

Great Lakes Region 1,939 71 4 

Ohio Region 3,261 168 5 

Tennessee Region 1,520 81 5 

Upper Mississippi Region 384 54 14 

Paper 

New England Region 962 86 9 

Mid-Atlantic Region 745 76 10 

Great Lakes Region 982 143 15 

Ohio Region 224 23 10 

Tennessee Region 381 41 11 

Upper Mississippi Region 348 20 6 

Food 

New England Region 56 9 16 

Mid-Atlantic Region 271 45 17 

Great Lakes Region 354 38 11 

Ohio Region 124 17 14 

Tennessee Region 19 1 5 

Upper Mississippi Region 506 62 12 
Appendix 5 189 

Table 5–2. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for steam electrical and manufacturing 

withdrawals during base conditions. —Continued 

[From Water Resources Council (U.S.) (1978), v. 3, Analytical data summary. Withdrawal and consumption are in 

million gallons per day. The consumptiveuse coefficient (in percent) is computed by dividing the water consumption 

by the water withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Steam electric withdrawals and consumption are from the Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), and the manufacturing withdrawals and consumption are 

from the Department of Commerce (Industry and Trade Administration, Office of Business Policy Analysis)] 

Region Withdrawal Consumption Consumptive-use 

coefficient 

Petroleum 

New England Region 16 3 19 

Mid-Atlantic Region 562 71 13 

Great Lakes Region 687 51 7 

Ohio Region 114 23 20 

Tennessee Region 0 0 -

Upper Mississippi Region 50 18 36 

Transportation 

New England Region 341 26 8 

Mid-Atlantic Region 67 6 9 

Great Lakes Region 657 80 12 

Ohio Region 89 21 24 

Tennessee Region 0 0 -

Upper Mississippi Region 26 5 19 

Textiles 

New England Region 45 2 4 

Mid-Atlantic Region 37 3 8 

Great Lakes Region 0 0 -

Ohio Region 7 1 14 

Tennessee Region 31 8 26 

Upper Mississippi Region 0 0 -

All other 

New England Region 509 47 9 

Mid-Atlantic Region 760 54 7 

Great Lakes Region 1,056 61 6 

Ohio Region 716 97 14 

Tennessee Region 65 4 6 

Upper Mississippi Region 401 40 10 
190 Consumptive Water-Use Coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin and Climatically Similar Areas 

Table 5–3. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for commercial and domestic water-use 

categories during base conditions. 

[From Water Resources Council (U.S.) (1978), v. 3, Analytical data summary. Withdrawal and consumption are in million gallons per day. The consumptiveuse coefficient (in percent) is computed by dividing the water consumption by 

the water withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Domestic-central is from U.S. Department of Interior (U.S. Geological 

Survey) and Water Resource Council. Domestic-noncentral is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation Service)] 

Consumptive-use Region Withdrawal Consumption coefficient 

Commercial 

New England Region 361 48 13 

Mid-Atlantic Region 650 91 14 

Great Lakes Region 1,010 113 11 

Ohio Region 495 62 13 

Tennessee Region 90 11 12 

Upper Mississippi Region 515 63 12 

Domestic 

New England Region 1,122 164 15 

Mid-Atlantic Region 3,954 705 18 

Great Lakes Region 3,267 476 15 

Ohio Region 1,842 349 19 

Tennessee Region 263 59 22 

Upper Mississippi Region 1,450 282 19 

Domestic–central 

New England Region 1,011 96 9 

Mid-Atlantic Region 3,627 505 14 

Great Lakes Region 2,946 280 10 

Ohio Region 1,561 175 11 

Tennessee Region 210 26 12 

Upper Mississippi Region 1,280 178 14 

Domestic–noncentral 

New England Region 111 68 61 

Mid-Atlantic Region 327 200 61 

Great Lakes Region 321 196 61 

Ohio Region 281 174 62 

Tennessee Region 53 33 62 

Upper Mississippi Region 170 104 61 
Appendix 5 191 

Table 5–4. Annual water requirements for offstream uses for mining water-use categories during 

base conditions. 

[From Water Resources Council (U.S.) (1978), v. 3, Analytical data summary. Withdrawal and consumption are in million gallons per day. The consumptiveuse coefficient (in percent) is computed by dividing the water consumption by the 

water withdrawal and multiplying by 100. Mineral withdrawals and consumption data are from the U.S. Department of 

the Interior (Bureau of Mines)] 

Consumptive-use Region Withdrawal Consumption coefficient 

Minerals 

New England Region 90 11 12 

Mid-Atlantic Region 459 70 15 

Great Lakes Region 696 155 22 

Ohio Region 493 91 18 

Tennessee Region 110 15 14 

Upper Mississippi Region 333 46 14 

Nonmetals 

New England Region 87 11 13 

Mid-Atlantic Region 424 56 13 

Great Lakes Region 451 62 14 

Ohio Region 308 34 11 

Tennessee Region 86 12 14 

Upper Mississippi Region 268 35 13 

Fuels 

New England Region 0 0 ­

Mid-Atlantic Region 21 11 57
 

Great Lakes Region 14 8 57
 

Ohio Region 183 57 31
 

Tennessee Region 8 1 12
 

Upper Mississippi Region 20 4 20
 

Metals 

New England Region 3 <1 ­

Mid-Atlantic Region 14 2 14
 

Great Lakes Region 231 85 37
 

Ohio Region 2 <1 ­

Tennessee Region 16 2 12
 

Upper Mississippi Region 45 7 16