Pennsylvania's Digital Water Atlas

The Pennsylvania Water Atlas is a valuable resource for educators and decision-makers. It was originally published in 2009 as a printed atlas. In 2022, it was updated and re-released as a digital StoryMap. The new version provides data on PA's statewide water use from 2008 to 2020.

The Water Atlas is both a planning tool and an educational resource. It offers information on various factors that can positively or negatively impact Pennsylvania's water resources in terms of quality and quantity. Within the atlas, you can access data about public drinking water supplies, power generation, industrial activities, fossil fuel extraction, commercial and institutional uses, irrigation, livestock, and wastewater treatment. It also includes data on the effects of climate change, Environmental Justice areas for each of the six water planning regions, drought trends, and more.

We encourage you to visit the Pennsylvania Digital Water Atlas and explore the available data for your community. You can view maps and graphics that display geology, land cover, population changes, and more, all of which are easy to understand and interact with. Students can also use this tool to investigate potential causes of water quality issues in their community.

As the Atlas states, water is a shared resource and a shared responsibility.