Agriculture and Water Scarcity: As farmers increasingly draw from groundwater for crop irrigation, it is important to protect underground water stores, which take years to refill.
Exempt Wells: Limiting the impact of exempt wells on stream flows and senior water rights is increasingly important because of burgeoning rural development.
Human Right to Water: A human right to water is being increasingly recognized worldwide. In the US, California, Montana, Pennsylvania, and New York have recognized that right.
State Water Plans: Many states have water plans, but few fully incorporate climate change and modern concepts of integrated water resources planning.
Water District Planning and Efficiency Requirements: State law shapes how water districts plan for the future, and ultimately may require efficiency standards.
The United States Geological Survey issues a report every 5 years summarizing water usage information for the country, for each state, and even at the county level.
