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t WATER FACTS
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SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT • 1974-2004 • PROTECT OUR HEALTH FROM SOURCE TO TAP
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.
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 1 00 gallons
of water per day; the average residence uses over
1 00,000 gallons during a year.
• Americans drink more than 1 billion glasses of
tap water per day.
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 & 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?
• Conserve water in the home or 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.
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.
Wisely Use and Dispose of Household Lawn &
Garden Chemicals
• Follow all directions carefully.
• Use only what you need.
• Sponsor or participate in pesticide collection/
disposal activities.
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.
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.
For More Information
To learn more about drinking water, call the
Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791
or visit the safewater web site at www.epa.gov/
safewafer.
Office of Water (4606)
www.epa.gov/safewater
EPA 816-F-04-036 June 2004
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