Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
400
350
G
r
oundwate
r
Su
r
face wate
r
Total
Population
350
300
300
250
250
200
200
150
150
100
100
50
50
0
0
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
FIGURE 1.3 Trends in Population and Freshwater Withdrawals by Source,
1950-2005
Source:
U.S. Geological Survey, “Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2005,” http://
pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf.
Illinois, Texas, and Michigan counted on large quantities
of surface-water withdrawals for thermoelectric power
generation.
Irrigation was the largest use of fresh groundwater in
25 states; California, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Texas were the
biggest users.
The bottom line: If it hasn't done so already, the battle for
water will soon hit home for all of us.
WATER REALITIES
The Earth is 70 percent water, but less than 1 percent is
readily available fresh water humans need to survive.
The United States withdraws 410 billion gallons of water
a year.
The average person uses about 80 to 100 gallons of water
every day just at home. But those numbers can vary
dramatically depending on how they're tallied, geographic loca-
tion, and more.
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