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Water
Facts
EPA 816-F-04-036
June 2004
Drinking water facts and figures
Usage
Infrastructure
What you can do to keep your drinking water safe
Be aware of your water source and supplier
Conserve water in the home/on the farm
Minimize the production of waste
>Wisely use and dispose of household lawn and garden chemicals
Learn the facts about your water
Get involved in your community
Drinking Water Facts and Figures
- Water is the only substance found on
earth in three forms . solid, liquid, and
gas.
- A person can live more than a month
without food, but only about a week,
depending on conditions, without
water.
- 66% of the human body is water; 75%
of the human brain is water.
- 75% of a chicken, 80% of a pineapple,
and 95% of a tomato is water.
- A person must consume 2.5 quarts of
water per day from all sources (drinking,
eating) to maintain health.
- Water regulates the earth's temperature.
It also regulates the temperature of the
human body, carries nutrients and
oxygen to cells, cushions joints, protects
organs and tissues, and removes
wastes.
- It is possible for people today to drink
water that was part of the dinosaur era.
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Usage
- Industries as well as people need water.
It takes on average 39,090 gallons of
water to manufacture a new car and its
four tires.
- 62,600 gallons of water are needed to
produce one ton of steel; 1,500 gallons
to process one barrel of beer; and 9.3
gallons to process one can of fruit or
vegetables.
- On average, 50-70% of household
water is used outdoors (watering lawns,
washing cars).
- The average American uses over 100
gallons of water per day; the average
residence uses over 100,000 gallons
during a year.
- Americans drink more than 1 billion
glasses of tap water per day.
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Infrastructure
- The average cost for water supplied to a
home in the U.S. is about $2.00 for
1,000 gallons, which equals about 5
gallons for a penny.
- It costs over $3.5 billion to operate
water systems throughout the United
States each year.
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What you can do to keep your drinking water safe
Be aware of your water source and supplier
- Where does your water come from?
- Who is your water supplier?
- Has your water been tested recently?
- Is it tested regularly?
- How is it treated and protected from contamination?
- Have water shortages occurred in your community?
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Conserve water in the home/on the farm
- Improve water use and management practices.
- Repair leaking faucets and toilets.
- Understand crop needs for water and irrigate appropriately.
- Water your lawn wisely.
- Take short showers.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
- Turn off the hose while washing your car.
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Minimize the production of waste
- Compost vegetable waste.
- Recycle newspapers, aluminum cans, glass containers.
- Don't buy more of anything than you can use.
- Recycle used motor oil, batteries, paints, solvents, and chemicals.
- Think of the impact of what you do on water quality.
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Wisely use and dispose of household lawn and garden chemicals
- Follow all directions carefully.
- Use only what you need.
- Sponsor or participate in pesticide collection/ disposal activities.
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Learn the facts about your water
- Look for and read your consumer confidence
report (annual water quality report). Call your
water supplier to get a copy.
- Don't believe everything you hear or read in
advertisements - get the facts.
- Review results of drinking water tests in your
community.
- Attend public meetings.
- Follow the news about drinking water matters,
such as the development of new standards.
- Learn about potential contamination sources of
ground water and surface water.
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Get involved in your community
- Urge your water supplier and state and local
regulatory and health officials to ensure that your
water supply complies with all standards.
- Support efforts to educate the public and elected
officials about the need to protect and improve
the quality of drinking water.
- Express willingness to pay higher water rates, if
necessary, to finance improvements in water
quality.
- Support efforts to protect water supplies.
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