Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Karl Geisler, Idaho State University
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by NSF award number OIA-242769 from the NSF Idaho EPSCOR program and by the National Science Foundation.
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
The paper analyzes regional freshwater usage on the basis of industry across the US counties. While numerous studies have examined the relationships between industry and water usage, little information is available on regional economic composition of freshwater usage. The study uses water data from the USGS and industry data from the US Census Bureau for the contiguous US to explore the question using multiple spatial econometrics techniques. The preliminary results indicate Agriculture, Mining, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing , Wholesale Trade, Transportation and Warehouse, Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Management of Companies and Enterprises, Administrative and Support and Waste Management, Health Care and Social Assistance, Arts Entertainment and Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services, Other services, and Public Administration key regional drivers of water usages. These findings indicate how the industry uses the water across the counties.
Spatial Analysis of Regional Economic Composition on Freshwater Usage in the US Counties
The paper analyzes regional freshwater usage on the basis of industry across the US counties. While numerous studies have examined the relationships between industry and water usage, little information is available on regional economic composition of freshwater usage. The study uses water data from the USGS and industry data from the US Census Bureau for the contiguous US to explore the question using multiple spatial econometrics techniques. The preliminary results indicate Agriculture, Mining, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing , Wholesale Trade, Transportation and Warehouse, Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Management of Companies and Enterprises, Administrative and Support and Waste Management, Health Care and Social Assistance, Arts Entertainment and Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services, Other services, and Public Administration key regional drivers of water usages. These findings indicate how the industry uses the water across the counties.