Empowering Water Advocates

Championing Efficient Water Use in the Southwest

Join us in our mission to promote sustainable water practices through education, advocacy, and innovative recycling technologies.
Water Pollution
Unconventional Water
PFAS
Rivers & Streams

Additional Resources

Key Water Statistics

Water use and recycling in the Southwest United States are critical areas of focus for sustainable living. Here are some key statistics:

Across the globe, 2 billion people daily drink contaminated water that could be harmful to their health

Of all freshwater withdrawals globally are for agricultural production

Trillion liters of wastewater is generated by mankind globally every year

Of the world's treated wastewater is only reused

Latest Insights on Water Advocacy

Just the Facts

WATER EDUCATION 

1 acre foot of water is:

325,851 gallons
43,560 cubic feet
 7,785 barrels (bbls)
1,233 cubic meters

 Summary

While 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water, and this means there are 326 million cubic miles of water on the planet, most of it is not suitable for use by humanity.  The 97% of the earth’s water which is found in the oceans, is too salty (saline) for use by humans for growing crops, most industrial purposes, and certainly it is not suitable for drinking.

Over 59% of the available water used in the United States is by industry and 33% is used by agriculture, leaving only 8% for domestic/household everyday use.

With Earth’s ever-expanding population, humanity now needs to treat, recycle, and reuse most of the water it uses. In the United States, the obvious segment to start with is industry which uses more than 18.2 billion gallons per day by direct water withdrawals. Scientific research has discovered cost-effective methods for treating/cleaning industrial and agricultural water so that it can safely by reused by industry, people, animals and agriculture. 

Fresh Water Facts – What’s Available

  • Only 3% of the earth’s water is fresh
  • 2.5% of the earth’s fresh water is unavailable: locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, atmosphere, and soil; highly polluted; or lies too far under the earth’s surface to be extracted at an affordable cost.
  • Only .5% of the earth’s fresh water is actually available to humanity at this time

    Compare the amount of water

    • If the world’s water supply were only 100 liters (26 gallons), our usable water supply of fresh water would be only about 0.003 liter (one-half teaspoon).
    • In actuality, that amounts to an average of 8.4 million liters (2.2 million gallons) for each person on earth.
    • This supply is continually collected, purified, and distributed in the natural hydrologic (water) cycle.
    • Snow that is 4 inches (10cm) deep contains about the same amount of water as 1/3 inch (1 cm) of rain.

    Water Sources & Definitions 

    Surface-water runoff is precipitation that does not infiltrate into the ground or return to the atmosphere: streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs.
    Groundwater  – Much of this water lies too far under the surface of the Earth to be extracted at a reasonable price. This is water which infiltrates into the ground through porous materials deeper into the earth. It fills pores and fractures in layers of underground rock called aquifers. More than half the people in the U.S. obtain their water for daily use from groundwater.
    Water consumption is the measurement of water that has been withdrawn and is not available for reuse in the area from which it is withdrawn.

    Water withdrawal is the taking water from groundwater or surface-water source and transporting it to a place of use.

    Water Use in the United States

    • In the U.S. about three-fourths of the fresh water withdrawn each year comes from rivers, lakes and reservoirs; one-fourth comes from groundwater aquifers.
    • 80% of water withdrawn in the U.S. is used for cooling electric power plants and for irrigation.
    • Americans use about 1/3 more water in the summer than they do the rest of the year because they’re watering their lawns.
    • There are about 10 million acres of lawn in the U.S., which requires 270 billion gallons of water every week. That’s enough to give every person in the world a shower for four days in a row.
    • Most lawns only need an inch of water each week.
    Pollution & Water Waste in the United States

    According to the EPA and National Resources Defense Council,  half of our rivers and streams and more than one-third of our lakes are polluted and unfit for swimming, fishing, and drinking.

    • “Forever Chamicals” can be found in at least half the tap water in the U.S.
    • A gallon of paint or a quart of motor oil can seep into the earth and pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water.
    • A spilled gallon of gasoline can pollute 750,000 gallons of water.
    • A leak that fills up a coffee cup in 10 minutes will waste over 3,000 gallons of water in a year. That’s 65 glasses of water every day for a year.
    • A leaky toilet can waste over 22,000 gallons of water in one year; enough to take three baths every day.

    See our page on Pollution & Contaminants

    • Sources:  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 2024, U.S Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, National Resources Defense Fund, CNN

    Southwest Water Advocates Network - SWAN
    Southwest Water Advocates Network, a 501c3 under the IX Power Foundation
    Southwest Water Advocates Network, a 501c3 under the IX Power Foundation
    Southwest Water Advocates Network, a 501c3 under the IX Power Foundation

    Your Food! Just how much water does it take to produce:

    Food                                                    Portion                             Gallons of Water

    Orange Juice 1 cup 49
    Orange 1 medium 14
    Cantaloupe 1 melon 160
    Broccoli 2 cups 11
    Catsup 1 ounce 3
    Corn 1 ear 80
    Lettuce 1 cup 3
    Tomato 1 small 8
    Tomato Sauce 4 ounces 13
    Butter 1 pat 46
    Cheese 1 ounce 56
    Milk 1 cup 48
    Yogurt 1 cup 88
    Beef Steak 8 ounces 1,232
    Chicken 8 ounces 330
    Egg 1 each 50
    Hamburger 4 ounces 616
    Tofu 2 cups 61
    Almonds 1 ounce 80
    Sugar 1 Tablespoon 7
    White Rice 2 cups 25
    Brown Rice 2 cups 16
    Wheat Bread 1 slice 7
    White Bread 1 slice 11
    Pasta 2 ounces 36

     Source:  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

    Where Water is Found

    Oceans 97.2%
    Ice Caps/Glaciers 2.0%
    Groundwater* 0.62%
    Freshwater Lakes 0.009%
    Inland seas/salt lakes 0.008%
    Atmosphere 0.001%
    Rivers 0.0001%
    TOTAL 99.8381%

    Water Use in the U.S. 

    • 8% domestic use
    • 33% agriculture
    • 59% industry
    • Over 600 gallons per day per person in the U.S. is being diverted for farm irrigation and livestock use from natural aquatic sources.
    • More than half the people in the U.S. get their water from groundwater.

    Garden Water Use 

    • Americans use about 1/3 more water in the summer than they do the rest of the year because they’re watering their lawns. 
    • There are about 10 million acres of lawn in the U.S., which requires 270 billion gallons of water every week. That’s enough to give every person in the world a shower for four days in a row.
    • Most lawns only need an inch of water each week. 

    Measures of Water Use 

    • Water withdrawal – taking water from groundwater or surface-water source and transporting it to a place of use.
    • Water consumption – water that has been withdrawn and is not available for reuse in the area from which it is withdrawn.
    • In the U.S. about three-fourths of the fresh water withdrawn each year comes from rivers, lakes and reservoirs; one-fourth comes from groundwater aquifers.
    • 80% of water withdrawn in the U.S. is used for cooling electric power plants and for irrigation.

    Southwest Water Advocates Network, a 501c3 under the IX Power Foundation

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Below are some common questions about water advocacy and policies, along with their answers:

    What is water advocacy?

    Water advocacy involves promoting policies and practices that ensure sustainable and equitable water use.

    How can I get involved in water advocacy?

    You can join organizations like Southwest Water Advocates, participate in local meetings, and support water conservation initiatives.

    What are the benefits of water recycling?

    Water recycling helps conserve water resources, reduces wastewater, and provides a sustainable supply of water for various uses.

    What policies support water conservation?

    Policies such as water use restrictions, incentives for water-efficient appliances, and funding for water recycling projects support conservation efforts.

    How does water use impact the environment?

    Excessive water use can deplete natural resources, harm ecosystems, and contribute to water scarcity issues.

    What is the role of technology in water conservation?

    Technology plays a crucial role in monitoring water use, improving efficiency, and developing new methods for water recycling and purification.

    Join the Movement for Water Advocacy

    Become a part of the Southwest Water Advocates Network and help us champion sustainable water policies and technologies. Subscribe to our updates to stay informed about the latest in water conservation, advocacy efforts, and innovative recycling technologies. Together, we can make a difference.

    Subscribe Now