Wednesday, June 4, 2008

What on Earth Do You Know About Water?

Source : http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/edresources/water_5.html



What on Earth Do You Know About Water?

  • Hands under Water GraphicApproximately 80 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water.

    • Only one percent of this water is fresh we can use.
      • 97 percent is saltwater
      • two percent is water frozen in glaciers

  • Earth's fresh water supply is limited and threatened by pollution.

  • Today, have approximately the same amount of water as when the Earth was formed; Earth will not get any more water.

  • Water moves in a never-ending cycle; nature recycles it over and over again.

  • The water you drink may have been a drink for a dinosaur.

  • You use an average of 168 gallons of water a day.

  • In the United States, we use approximately 25 trillion gallons of fresh water each year.

  • We are using our fresh water faster then we are recharging our groundwater.

  • In the United States, more than 50 percent of our wetlands that recharge and purify ground water have been destroyed.

Kids Splashing Water Graphic (Information provided by the U. S. Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.)


Water - How to Count Your Savings


Activity Normal Use Conservation Use
Flushing Depends on Tank Size
5-7 gallons
Displacement bottles in tank
4 gallons
Showering Water Running
25 gallons
Wet down; soap down
4 gallons
Bathing Tub Full
40 gallons
Minimal water level
10-12 gallons
Brushing Teeth Tap Running
5 gallons
Wet brush; turn water off;
rinse
½ gallon
Washing Hands or Face Tap Running
2 gallons
Plug and Fill Basin
1 gallon
Drinking Run Water to Cool
1 gallon
Keep Water in Refrigerator
8 ounces
Cleaning Vegetables Tap Running
3 gallons
Fill Pan with Water to Clean
Vegetables
½ gallon
Dishwasher Full Cycle
16 gallons
Short Cycle
7 gallons
Dishes by Hand Tap Running
30 gallons
Wash and Rinse in Dishpan
or Sink
5 gallons
Washing Clothes Full Cycle, Top Water Level
60 gallons
Short Cycle, Minimal Water
Level
27 gallons

Information provided by the U. S. Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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