Current economic literature provides some insights into the importance of water to various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and energy production, but this information is dispersed and, in many cases, incomplete.
EPA is conducting a study on the importance of water in the U.S. economy to:
- Summarize existing knowledge about the role and importance of water to the U.S. economy;
- Provide information that supports private and public sector decision-making, and
- Identify areas where additional research would be useful.
As part of the study, EPA has supported the development of a series of papers written by experts to supplement existing information and to present current economic analyses and innovations, and held a technical workshop to present and discuss the agency’s literature review and the expert papers, and to solicit feedback. EPA will release a draft report that synthesizes all of this information in the coming months. The study is expected to be completed sometime in 2013.
Read the full draft background report: http://water.epa.gov/action/importanceofwater/upload/Background-Report-Public-Review-Draft-2.pdf
Read more about the study components: http://water.epa.gov/action/importanceofwater/study.cfm
For more information or to provide feedback to EPA on this study, please contact ImportanceOfWater@epa.gov
The EPA study is not a new law, regulation, guidance, or policy, and does not change any existing laws, regulations, or policies.
