Facts About Water for The U.S. Population

These are the key findings:

Groundwater overdraft is 25% higher than its natural replenishment (Pimentel et al., 2004a).

A 1 pound loaf of bread requires about 250 gallons of water to produce the grains for the loaf.

Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in the nation, consuming approximately

Waterborne infections account for approximately 940,000 infections and approximately 900 deaths each year (Seager, 1995).

So imagine, 1 pond of bread requires 250 Gallons of Water to produce the grains of the loaf, then the water requires raise a chicken before it can be serve on the table would be at least 50 times.

I am sure you can envisage the seriousness of the the Water shortage for the Nation & also globally.

So, please save Water for Our Great Health.

Water Resources —

Fresh water is vital to maintaining all life, including crop and livestock production. The average amount of water pumped per American for personal, irrigation, and industrial use is approximately 1.7 million liters (500,000 gallons) per year.

Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in the nation, consuming approximately 80% of total pumped fresh water (Pimentel et al., 2004a).

A corn crop that produces about 9,000 kg/ha (140 bushels/acre) requires about 9 million liters/ha (1 million gallons/acre) of water. A 1 pound loaf of bread requires about 250 gallons of water to produce the grains for the loaf.

The rapid increase in water use in the U.S. is stressing both surface and groundwater resources. Currently, groundwater overdraft is 25% higher than its natural replenishment (Pimentel et al., 2004a). For example, in some regions of Arizona, water from aquifers is being pumped 10 times faster than it is being replenished (Pimentel et al., 2004a).

Associated with both surface and groundwater supplies is pollution, which causes serious public health problems.

Waterborne infections account for approximately 940,000 infections and approximately 900 deaths each year (Seager, 1995).

Nearly 40% of treated drinking water supply in the U.S. is contaminated with dangerous microorganisms (Platt, 1996).

Waterborne disease outbreaks in the U.S. are caused by microbial pollution, like E. coli, characterized by severe diarrhea and occasionally death. In addition, some ground and stream water is more than 90% polluted with significant quantities of harmful chemicals from agriculture and industry.

Approximately 80,000 different chemicals are used in the U.S. and many adversely affect human health as well as plants, animals, and microbes.

Land, Water and Energy Versus The Ideal U.S. Population