Nearly 30 million Americans live in regions with stressed water supplies, with socially vulnerable groups and certain ecosystems at higher risk, according to a new USGS report.
Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede.
In short:
- The USGS found 27 million people face "high local water stress," with socially vulnerable communities disproportionately affected.
- Polluted waterways, primarily in the Midwest and High Plains, threaten human health with contaminants like arsenic and nitrates.
- Climate change is altering the water cycle, exacerbating drought, flooding, and supply-demand imbalances that harm ecosystems and communities.
Key quote:
“Water availability is an issue everywhere in our country and beyond. It raises the question – do we have enough water to sustain our nation’s economy, ecosystems and drinking water supplies?”
— Lori Sprague, USGS national program manager
Why this matters:
Water is the foundation of life, yet for millions across the United States, access to clean and sufficient supplies is becoming an increasingly precarious reality. Pollution from industrial runoff, agricultural practices and aging infrastructure continues to contaminate vital water sources. Overuse of water resources — whether for irrigation, urban development, or energy production — further strains the delicate balance.
Related EHN coverage: US drinking water pollution could cause 100,000 cancer cases
