Overview of Water Management in the USA

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When talking about water, three key pillars define its sustainable management:

• Resource Management: the identification, preservation, and replenishment of water sources,

• Supply Management: the delivery infrastructure and logistics to move water to where it is needed,

• Quality Management: ensuring that water meets health and safety standards.

A fourth and equally critical pillar is Disaster Management, particularly in the face of droughts and floods. With climate change intensifying weather patterns, efficient disaster preparedness and responsive systems are essential.

Water Usage in the United States

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), total water withdrawals in the United States were approximately 322 billion gallons per day (BGD) as of the most recent national assessment. The distribution is as follows:

• Agriculture: ~42% (mainly irrigation)

• Thermoelectric Power: ~38%

• Public Supply (Drinking Water): ~12%

• Industrial and Other Uses (leisure, landscaping, etc.): ~8%

California Focus

California stands out as a unique case. It is home to:

• The largest agricultural economy in the US, using about 80% of the state's managed water supply.

• Key projects like the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP).

• Institutions like USGS California Water Science Center, California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and research centers at UC Davis and Stanford, all active in studying and optimizing water resource management.

  
  

  

  Source: https://www.epa.gov/

  
  

Key Challenges and Technologies

Resource Management

Challenges:

• Depleting groundwater reserves (e.g., Ogallala Aquifer)

• Lack of consistent rainfall

• Increasing demand due to urban growth

Technologies:

• Remote sensing and satellite data by NASA and USGS

• Smart well monitoring and aquifer recharge systems

Stakeholders:

• USGS, USDA, EPA, academic institutions

Supply Management

Challenges:

• Aging infrastructure

• Leakage and inefficiencies (up to 30% water loss in some systems)

• Urban-rural supply disparities

Technologies:

• SCADA and IoT platforms for real-time system monitoring

• Smart metering

• LPWAN (e.g., LoRaWAN, NB-IoT) for pipeline and tank monitoring

Stakeholders:

• Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, local water utilities

Quality Management

Challenges:

• Contaminants like PFAS, lead, and nitrates

• Inconsistent enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Technologies:

• Real-time water quality monitoring sensors

• AI-based predictive analysis

• Advanced filtration and UV treatment systems

Stakeholders:

• EPA, CDC, State Environmental Agencies, local municipalities

Disaster Management

Flood Management:

• Technologies: Flood prediction models, satellite mapping, early warning systems

• Notable Programs: FEMA flood mapping, NOAA flood forecast tools

Drought Management:

• Technologies: Soil moisture sensors, AI-driven water allocation platforms, smart irrigation systems

• Initiatives: National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

State of Success:

• While some states have advanced warning and mitigation systems, coordination and investment gaps remain.

Requirements:

• Inter-agency data integration

• Enhanced funding for predictive tech

• Community-based water resilience programs

source: https://www.usgs.gov/

Global Lessons and Success Stories

• Singapore: The NEWater initiative treats and recycles sewage water to potable quality.

• Australia: Smart metering and long-term drought strategies (e.g., Murray-Darling Basin Plan).

Lessons: Holistic governance, public-private partnerships, tech adoption, and water literacy are critical.

Ellenex Solutions for Water Management

At Ellenex, we bring one of the most comprehensive portfolios of LPWAN-enabled industrial sensors and monitoring platforms in the market.

Key offerings:

• Pressure Sensors: Monitor water mains, filtration systems, and pumping stations

• Level Sensors: Used in water tanks, reservoirs, and irrigation systems

• Flow Meters: Help optimize distribution in supply pipelines

• Water Quality Sensors: Track pH, conductivity, and turbidity in real time

• Smart Gateways & Cloud Platforms: Seamlessly integrate data with AWS IoT, Azure, or local SCADA

• Radar sensors: for flood and underground waterway monitoring

ellenex key solutions for remote water monitoring

Successful Projects

We successfully deployed sensors across the country from Alaska to Florida; California to New York and working very closely with our partners to deliver added value and better protection of the most precious asset on earth!

With over 1 billion people globally, including over 2 million Americans, still lacking access to safe and reliable water, solutions like ours are not just innovative—they’re essential.

What we need to do?

Water is not just a resource; it is the lifeblood of economies, ecosystems, and societies. The United States, despite its wealth and infrastructure, faces ongoing challenges in managing this vital asset. Through smart monitoring, real-time analytics, and adaptive technologies, companies like Ellenex are stepping in to fill the gaps.

We are ready to partner with state agencies, municipalities, and international bodies to improve water outcomes—whether in California or across the globe.

Get informed or get surprised.