A June 17 Associated Press article reports that "fracking presents new strains on water supplies in some drought-stricken areas of the U.S."

The article states:

While fracking typically consumes less water than farming or residential uses, the exploration method is increasing competition for the precious resource, driving up the price of water and burdening already depleted aquifers and rivers in certain drought-stricken stretches.

Do you know what percentage of the U.S. population is served by community water systems that meet drinking water standards, or the number of previously impaired waterbodies that are now attaining water-quality standards?  These answers and more are in EPA's Fiscal Year 2012 report on end-of-year results for over 130 measures of performance listed in EPA's 2011-2015 strategic plan and the FY 2012 National Water Program Guidance. 

It is too late to end the global freshwater crisis, but a sustainable water future is still possible. That is the takeaway thought from University of California-Irvine Professor Jay Famiglietti, who shared a TEDx talk on National Geographic.

On June 9, The Washington Post carried a front-page article about the federal government's multiple definitions of rural for the variety of programs it has for residents of those areas of the country.