A newly published pamphlet, Potomac Basin Trends in Water Use, summarizes forecasted reported water withdrawals and consumptive use in the Potomac basin. Understanding current and anticipated water use is vital for sustainable water resources planning today and into the future. Consumptive Use (CU) is the portion of water withdrawn from a resource and not returned for subsequent use. Examples of CU: evaporated irrigation and cooling water, bottled drinking water, and water consumed by people or livestock.

This report is a companion piece to the Potomac Basin Reported Water Use pamphlet published in 2022 and is part of the workplan developed through the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Expected percent change in water withdrawals from 2025 to 2050 in the Potomac basin by HUC8.