Data that taxpayers have paid for and rely on is disappearing – here’s how it’s happening and what you can do about it

Many U.S. government agencies collect data and make it publicly available. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

People rely on data from federal agencies every day – often without realizing it.

Rural residents use groundwater level data from the U.S. geological survey’s National Water Information System to decide where to dig wells. High school coaches turn to weather apps supported by data from the National Weather Service to decide when to move practice inside to avoid life-threatening heat. Emergency managers use data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to ensure that residents without vehicles have seats on evacuation buses during local emergencies.