Circle of Blue is an American non-profit organization that collates and reports on all issues regarding water, from fresh water scarcity and how we’re reaching a new crisis threshold with major cities facing water shutdowns to water polling which draws on expert and public opinion. Included in this prolific online library are a number of eye-opening infographics, and one in particular holds our attention – 10 things you should know about water – and while it might be nearly ten years old now, its staggering statistics remain a solid reminder of why we should protect and conserve this natural resource at all costs.
- One drop of oil can make up to 6.6 gallons of water undrinkable.
- Seventy percent of the world’s water is used for agriculture, 22 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. Low- and middle-income countries use 82 percent of their water for agriculture, 10 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. High income countries use 30 percent of their water for agriculture, 59 percent for industry and 11 percent for domestic use.
- A person is able to survive one month without food but only five to seven days without water.
- Of all the Earth’s water, 97.5 percent is salt and 2.5 is fresh. Of that water, about 70 percent is locked in glacial ice and 30 percent in soil, leaving under 1 percent (.007 percent of the total water) readily accessible for human use.
- A water footprint, or virtual water, is the amount of water used in the entire production and/or growth of a specific product. For example, 2.2 lbs. of beef has a water footprint of 4,226.8 gallons; one sheet of paper has a water footprint of 2.6 gallons; one cup of tea has a water footprint of 9.2 gallons; and one microchip has a water footprint of 8.5 gallons.
- It takes 25 to 50 gallons of water to take a five-minute shower; 2-7 gallons to flush a toilet; 2 gallons to brush one’s teeth; and 20 gallons to hand wash dishes.
- 6,000 children die each day from preventable water-related diseases.
- The population of the United States is approximately 304 million; the population of Europe is approximately 732.7 million; 1.1 billion people lack adequate drinking water access; and 2.6 billion people lack basic water sanitation.
- The average American uses about 151.9 gallons of water per day, with about 60 percent of that being used out-of-doors (watering lawns, washing cars, etc.). The average European uses 66 gallons per day. 1.1 billion People lack adequate water access, using less than 5 gallons per day.
- The average American uses 30.3 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access; the average European uses 13.2 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access.
