WaterSense
Water Supply and Use
in the United States
~* A later covers approximately 70 percent of
\l \j the Earth's surface, but less than 1 percent
V V of that is available for human use. The
world must share this small amount for agricultural,
domestic, commercial, industrial, and environmen-
tal 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 businesses 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 choices-with no sacrifice to
quality or product performance-WaterSense
helps Americans save water and money.
July 2007
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) • www.epa.gov/watersense • watersense@epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper.
&EFA
EPA-832-F-06-006
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