Fun Facts about Water
Each molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom, or H2O. It is essential to sustaining life on Earth.
While the word water usually refers to water in its liquid state, water actually has three states: liquid (water), solid (ice), and gas (steam or vapor).
The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water, which means that about 70-75% of the earth’s surface iscovered with water.
Of all the water on the earth, humans can use only about .3% of this water. Such usable water is found in groundwater aquifers, rivers, and freshwater lakes.Pure water has no smell and no taste; it also has a pH level around 7.
The earth is a closed system, similar to a terrarium, meaning that it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today.
The United States uses about 346,000 million gallons of fresh water every day.Approximately 85% of U.S. residents receive their water from public water facilities. The remaining 15% supply their own water from private wells or other sources.
Water in the United States is used for more than just drinking. It is utilized in a variety of sectors including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and energy production. Water is used to grow our crops, water our livestock, manufacture our goods, and meet our nation’s energy demands.
The average person in the United States uses anywhere from 80-100 gallons of water per day. Flushing the toilet actually accounts for the largest amount of this water usage.
Of the estimated 29 billion gallons of water used daily by households in the United States, nearly 9 billion gallons, or 30%, is devoted to outdoor water use. In the hot summer months, or in dry climates, a household's outdoor water use can be as high as 70%.
Experts estimate that 50% of the water we use outdoors goes to waste from evaporation, wind, or runoff due to overwatering.Homes with automatic sprinkler systems can use about 50% more water outdoors than those without them.
The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. This is the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.
Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide. That's equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes.
10% of homes have leaks that waste 90+ gallons per day. At this rate, you could be adding an extra $5 or more on your water bill each month, or about an extra $60 or more per year.
Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable with little time and expense. Also, installing WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances can help reduce leaks and improve efficiency.
Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water. Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.
Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer. For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can also significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.
Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.Thisleads to increased energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration. Furthermore, water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.
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