The Water Footprint of Energy
You may not realize it, but when you use energy, you're
also using water indirectly - lots of it!
GRACE Communications Foundation
[ Water Topics ]
Water is a part of our daily lives. We use it inside and outside of our homes. We need it to produce the food we eat, the products we buy and the energy we use. Find out more in these posts.
Associated Posts
The Water Footprint of Food
What we eat - our diet - makes up about 50 percent of our total water footprint, which includes the large volume of "virtual water" needed to produce food.
The Hidden Water in Everyday Products
Although unseen, millions of gallons of water go into the products we buy and use, which makes consumer awareness an important step towards water conservation.
How the United States Uses Water
Our water resources aren't endless. We need to protect and conserve them, especially since the average American water footprint, or the total amount of water is nearly twice the world's average.
Indoor Water Use at Home
By taking simple steps to reduce your water use at home you can quickly be on your way to saving gallons − and dollars − every day!
Outdoor Water Use at Home
The American dream might be to live in a big house with an emerald green lawn in front and a shimmering pool out back. From a water conservation standpoint, this is more like a nightmare than a dream!
Water Use, Withdrawal and Consumption: What Does It All Mean?
Water use can take two forms - consumption or withdrawal. It's important to understand the difference between the two.
Buy Less Stuff; Use Less Water
Everything you buy, use and consume takes water to produce. By purchasing and using less and reusing and recycling more, you can save water and reduce your water footprint.
The Importance of Clean Water
In the US We're fortunate to have billions of gallons of clean water delivered to our homes each day, then piped away when we're done with it. Unfortunately, a lack of infrastructure funding could threaten our water.
Bottled Water and Water Conservation
Bottled water may seem like a healthy and convenient alternative but it is, in reality, expensive, wasteful and polluting. Find out why.
The Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources
As the climate warms, scientists say we will have more intense storms and droughts and more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow. This could have serious consequences for our nation's water systems.
In the Heat of the Summer, Sweating Outdoor Water Use
While hanging out in the yard can be carefree summer fun, saving water is serious business, especially as a devastating drought stretches over much of the US. But with these tips, conserving water doesn't have to be a drag.
Long Island’s Drinking Water - Challenges and Solutions
Millions of people across Long Island rely on a water supply that is at risk from a number of threats. Is a solution within reach? Watch this video to find out.
Quick Facts
Creating a gallon of ethanol consumes about 100 gallons of freshwater. In some regions, ethanol production can take three or more times that amount.
A piece of A5 paper has a water footprint of 3 gallons, but amounts vary depending on wood.
One cotton t-shirt has a water footprint of 659 gallons.
Crop irrigation accounts for 31 percent of all freshwater withdrawals in the U.S.
Only 1.3 percent of freshwater is surface waters like lakes and rivers.
A shower leaking just 10 drips per minute wastes 500 gallons of water per year. That's enough water to run your dishwasher every day for two months!
People who water their lawn with an automatic timer use 47 percent more water than those who just use a hose.
69 percent of global freshwater is stored in glaciers and ice caps.
One ton of carbon dioxide pollution causes around $20 of damage to economies, ecosystems and human health.
One cup of coffee has a water footprint of 37 gallons.
Corn accounts for 8 percent of global water use for crop production.
Only.007% of all water on earth is accessible for direct human use.
Households directly use the most water indoors in the morning (5am to 11am) because of showering and prepping for the day ahead.
25 percent of all freshwater consumed in the US is associated with discarded food -- about as much as the volume of Lake Erie.
On average, each American directly uses more water outdoors (101 gallons per day) than indoors (69 gallons per day).
