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# GAO report on freshwater: supply concerns continue and uncertainties complicate planning
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/gao-report-on-freshwater-supply-concerns-continue-and-uncertainties-complicate-planning/
- Published: 2014-06-23T02:01:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T19:15:11.000Z
- Description: In May, the Government Accountability Office released a report that looked at U.S. freshwater availability. The report found that, since an earlier investigation in 2003, the state of the water supply in the United States has worsened. Furthermore, a survey of state water managers found that 40 out
- Author: Investigate Midwest staff
- Tags: Datasets and Documents, GAO, Water, Water Supply, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

In May, the Government Accountability Office released [a report](http://gao.gov/products/GAO-14-430?ref=investigatemidwest.org) that looked at U.S. freshwater availability.

The report found that, since an earlier investigation in 2003, the state of the water supply in the United States has worsened. Furthermore, a survey of state water managers found that 40 out of 50 states will likely experience some level of water shortages within the coming decade.

The report also suggested that there currently is a “dearth of data” on water usage, while pointing out how the U.S. water infrastructure is in need of costly repairs.

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting recently used the report to launch an investigation into the nation’s freshwater supply. In one investigation, the Midwest Center specifically looked at the agriculture industry’s use of water for irrigation, which consumes more water than anything else each year.

Read the accountability office report below.

Click on the yellow boxes to read tips and see notes from the reporter.

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