Did you know?

• It takes 1,500 gallons to process one barrel of beer.
• It takes 101 gallons to make one pound of wool or cotton.
• It takes 1,851 gallons to refine one barrel of crude oil.
• It takes 62,600 gallons to produce one ton of steel.

With this in mind, it's important for manufacturers across the globe to identify solutions that will reduce their water footprint and increase efficiencies.  Here are five tips for industries to conserve water.

	Take the Facebook Personal Water Footprint Calculator Challenge! Calculate your footprint, share it and then commit to conserving water.

The United Nations estimates about half the world's population – potentially more than three billion people - may suffer from water shortages by the year 2025.   It is estimated that more than two billion people do not have access to safe drinking water or sanitation.

As population grows, the demand on our water resources is challenged to keep up.  In the US, the infrastructure is outdated. In developing countries, infrastructure is needed.

Did you know?

• Although a person can live without food for more than a month, a person can only live without water for approximately one week.
• Only 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking water.
• The average person in the United States uses 100-150 gallons of water each day, Europeans use an averageof 74 gallons, Africans use 17 gallons and the Chinese use about 23 gallons.
• About 70% of water is used for agriculture globally, while 20% is used for industry and 10% for residential use.
• Asia has significant water challenges with 36% of the world's water supply, yet 60% of the total population. 
• Leaks are a enormous problem.  In developing countries, nearly 40% of the water is lost before it reachs its destination.
• In the US, we pay about $.005 per gallon of water.  Compared water to a gallon of milk at $3.50--700 times the cost of water.

 

So, on this World Water Day, March 22, take a moment to reflect about the importance of water in your daily life.  A liquid we can’t live without.  What is your water footprint?  And, what can you do to make a difference?

Find more “Did you know” water facts from these websites:
New Jersey American Water Works Association
EPA Water Trivia Facts (pdf)

Technology and Solutions to Water Sustainability:
Water Reuse and Recycling
SkyJuice - Sustainable Water Solutions for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
Siemens - Water Answers for Industry

*Did you know water facts came from a variety of sources including Global Water Intelligence, EPA,  and UN