Water
Supply and Use in the United States
Water covers approximately 70 percent of the Earth's surface, but
less than 1 percent of that is available for human use. The world
must share this small amount for agricultural, domestic, commercial,
industrial, and environmental needs. Across the globe, water consumption
has tripled in the last 50 years. Managing the supply and availability
of water is one of the most critical natural resource issues facing
the United States and the world.
Homes use more than half of publicly supplied water in the United
States, which is significantly more than is used by either business
or industry. A family of four can use approximately 400 gallons
of water every day. Those amounts used can increase depending on
location; for example, the arid West has some of the highest per
capita residential water use because of landscape irrigation.
With water use in the United States increasing every year, many
regions are starting to feel the pressure. In the last five years,
nearly every region of the country has experienced water shortages.
At least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide
water shortages by 2013, even under non-drought conditions.
To help American homes and business make more efficient use of
their water, EPA has developed WaterSense, a partnership program.
By offering simple ways to reduce water use through water-efficient
product choiceswith no sacrifice to quality or product performanceWaterSense
helps Americans save water and money.
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