This guide is intended to help citizens of Illinois find information about Illinois water supplies. It includes information resources from the state and federal government, news sources, and library holdings, including digital collections.
The Illinois State Water Survey's Illinois Water Inventory Program aims to account for all major uses of water in Illinois, including thermoelectric power generation.
Great Lakes Regional Water Use DatabaseCovers all great lakes and surrounding states including Illinois from 1998 - date, by category of use. Includes Great Lakes Surface Water withdrawals as well as uses of other water supplies, including groundwater.
Water Use in the U.S.
USGS Water Use in the United StatesAccess 5-year summary reports (published as USGS Circulars) as well as downloadable state and county-level data for the U.S. Data include the population served by public water supply sources (groundwater vs. surface water), as well as domestic, industrial, recreational (e.g., golf course irrigation), and agricultural uses.
Water Conservation
WaterSense (an EPA Partnership program)Save water and protect the environment by choosing WaterSense labeled products. Products bearing the WaterSense label have been independently certified to perform well; help save water, energy, and money; and and encourage innovation in manufacturing.
In 2015, Illinois used 10.5 billion gallons of fresh water per day. Illinois accounted for 3.7% of the total U.S. fresh water use, and 2.9% of the total U.S. population. Only Arkansas, California, Idaho and Texas used more fresh water than Illinois in 2015. (See Table 1A on p. 9.)
Thermoelectric power generation accounted for 77.5% of the total use use of water in Illinois in 2015. Illinois used more fresh water for that purpose in 2015 than any other state. (See Table 2A on p. 10)
Of all water used in Illinois in 2015, just over 91% was surface water, and about 75% of the public water supply came from surface water. (See Tables 1A on p.9, 3A on p.14, and 4A on p.16.)
In 2005, more than 15 billion gallons of water were used in Illinois per day. Illinois accounted for just under 4% of the total 2005 U.S. water use, and just over 4% of the total U.S. population. Only California, Texas, Idaho used more fresh water than Illinois in 2005. (See Table 1A on p. 6)
Thermoelectric power generation accounted for more than 80% of the total use use of water in Illinois in 2005. Illinois used more fresh surface water for that purpose in 2005 than any other state. (See Table 2A on p. 7)
Of all water used in Illinois in 2005, more than 90% was surface water, and about 76% of the public water supply came from surface water. (See Tables 1A on p.6, 3A on p.9, and 4A on p.11.)