About Water Resources

Water resources are sources of water that are useful. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. The majority of human uses require fresh water. Water resources are used in various ways including direct consumption, agricultural irrigation, fisheries, hydropower, industrial production, recreation, navigation, environmental protection, the disposal and treatment of sewage, and industrial effluents. Water resources are sources of water that are potentially useful to humans. Water resources include surface waters (i.e., coastal bays, lakes, rivers, and streams) and groundwater. These water resources may be used for drinking water, industrial processes, agriculture, and irrigation. Water resources refer to the supply of groundwater and surface water in a given area. Water resources may also reference the current or potential value of the resource to the community and the environment. The maximum rate that water is potentially available for human use and management is often considered the best measure of the total water resources of a given region.