Circle of Blue is an American non-profit organization that collates and reports on all issues regarding water, from fresh water scarcity and how we’re reaching a new crisis threshold with major cities facing water shutdowns to water polling which draws on expert and public opinion. Included in this prolific online library are a number of eye-opening infographics, and one in particular holds our attention – 10 things you should know about water – and while it might be nearly ten years old now, its staggering statistics remain a solid reminder of why we should protect and conserve this natural resource at all costs.

  1. One drop of oil can make up to 6.6 gallons of water undrinkable.
  2. Seventy percent of the world’s water is used for agriculture, 22 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. Low- and middle-income countries use 82 percent of their water for agriculture, 10 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. High income countries use 30 percent of their water for agriculture, 59 percent for industry and 11 percent for domestic use.
  3. A person is able to survive one month without food but only five to seven days without water.
  4. Of all the Earth’s water, 97.5 percent is salt and 2.5 is fresh. Of that water, about 70 percent is locked in glacial ice and 30 percent in soil, leaving under 1 percent (.007 percent of the total water) readily accessible for human use.
  5. A water footprint, or virtual water, is the amount of water used in the entire production and/or growth of a specific product. For example, 2.2 lbs. of beef has a water footprint of 4,226.8 gallons; one sheet of paper has a water footprint of 2.6 gallons; one cup of tea has a water footprint of 9.2 gallons; and one microchip has a water footprint of 8.5 gallons.
  6. It takes 25 to 50 gallons of water to take a five-minute shower; 2-7 gallons to flush a toilet; 2 gallons to brush one’s teeth; and 20 gallons to hand wash dishes.
  7. 6,000 children die each day from preventable water-related diseases.
  8. The population of the United States is approximately 304 million; the population of Europe is approximately 732.7 million; 1.1 billion people lack adequate drinking water access; and 2.6 billion people lack basic water sanitation.
  9. The average American uses about 151.9 gallons of water per day, with about 60 percent of that being used out-of-doors (watering lawns, washing cars, etc.). The average European uses 66 gallons per day. 1.1 billion People lack adequate water access, using less than 5 gallons per day.
  10. The average American uses 30.3 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access; the average European uses 13.2 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access.