Water Conservation
Did you know?
- 80% of the earth's surface is water.
- 97% of the earth's water is salt water (oceans and seas).
- 2% of the earth's water is frozen (Glaciers and Ice Caps).
- 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking!
Of the water suitable for drinking 70% (or 0.7% of the earth’s total water) is used for crop irrigation.
According to the latest US Geological Survey, the United States uses 408 billion gallons of water a day!!
Here, in Southern Indiana, it appears as if we have an abundance of fresh water. After all, we are situated along the banks of the Ohio River! Today, there are over three million people drinking Ohio River water on a daily basis!
Many of us take for granted that there will always be safe, clean, drinkable water available to us when we turn on the kitchen faucet. The amount of water available for use is the same as it was 3 billion years ago; however, there are many more users of this water. Because our demand for this water increases and our supply remains constant, we must conserve and protect our water supply!
The goal of water conservation is sustainability. Sustainability is meeting the needs of the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future!
Do you know how much water you use?
The average person used 125 to 150 gallons of water per day
· 19 gallons of water per day to flush the toilet.
· 13 gallons of water per day to wash clothes.
· 13 gallons of water per day to shower.
· 30 gallons of water per use.
· 2.5 quarts of water per day to maintain good health.
· 10 gallons per minute to water their lawn.
How can you help to conserve water?
· To find out how much water your family uses on a daily basis visit the Water Conservation School or the USGS How much water do you use in your home page.
· Visit the Personal Environmental Impact Calculator at the University of Wisconsin to estimate how well you are doing at water conservation.
· There are so many ways to save water. For information on what you can do to conserve water, visit WaterSense. An EPA partnership program.
· Water conservation tips