Water Use

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Water, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, has developed a series of water-use atlases for all Ohio counties and watersheds (or drainage basins) that can be viewed online. These atlases show water withdrawals by large water users as tables and graphs for calendar year 2005. Ground water and surface water withdrawal trend graphs from 1991 to 2005 are also included on each atlas page.

Reported water withdrawals in Ohio are grouped into one of seven categories: Public Supply, Agriculture, Industrial, Power Generation, Mineral Extraction, Golf Course, and Miscellaneous. Total withdrawal volumes for each of these categories are shown as a bar graph and ground water and surface water withdrawals are presented in table form.

Data for the atlases comes from the ODNR Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program, which started in 1990. Section 1521.16 of the Ohio Revised Code requires any owner of a facility, or combination of facilities, with the capacity to withdraw water at a quantity greater than 100,000 gallons per day to register with the ODNR, Division of Water. Each year registrants report how much water was withdrawn at their facilities.

Questions about the atlases or the Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program should be directed to Mike Hallfrisch at (614) 265-6745 or mike.hallfrisch@dnr.state.oh.us.

Ohio EPA Sewer and Water Rate Survey

The Economic Analysis Unit annually surveys sewer and water rates charged by Ohio cities, villages and special districts during the prior calendar year. Annual rates are calculated for residential customers within municipal limits given an assumed monthly water consumption level of 7,756 gallons (or 1,037 cubic feet) per household. Rate calculations do not include charges levied through income or property taxes.  To view the surveys, click here.