Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which received
$4 billion, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund pro-
gram, $2 billion, to be allocated to various programs across the
country.
Unfortunately, together these allocations and projects represent
only a tiny portion of what's ailing America's water infrastructure.
WATER OVERUSE AND WASTE
For years, water in the United States was taken for granted as an
inexhaustible, self-replenishing resource. Who hasn't run the
dishwasher or washing machine when it wasn't quite full, left
the water running—inside or out—when it wasn't necessary, or
dawdled in the shower? Keeping in mind that each individual in the
United States uses, on average, 100 gallons of water a day, most peo-
ple could save 30 percent of that (about 30 gallons a day) simply by
using more effi cient water fi xtures and appliances and modifying
their behaviors. That's the word from WaterSense, an EPA program
to help Americans conserve water. WaterSense breaks down some
of the water-wasting ways that add up to billions of gallons of water
down the drain every year:
14
Americans waste nearly 640 billion gallons of water every year
fl ushing old, ineffi cient toilets. That's equivalent to 15 days'
worth of water fl ow over Niagara Falls.
5 percent to 10 percent of U.S. homes have water leaks that
drip away 90 gallons or more of water a day. That's enough
water to fi ll two big bathtubs.
Allowing a faucet to run for just fi ve minutes a day uses as
much energy as leaving on a light with a 60-watt bulb for
14 hours.
Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save eight
gallons of water a day.
Some homeowners use as much as 70 percent of their
household water for outdoor irrigation, with 50 percent
of that wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff from
overwatering.
A full bathtub can take 50 to 70 gallons of water, while a fi ve-
minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons of water.
