© Holben’s Plumbing Company. All Rights Reserved 2011 holbensplumbing.com ACCORDING TO THE EPA - HOW DO WE USE WATER? Water is a resource that has many uses, including recreational, transportation, hydroelectric power, agricultural, domestic, industrial, and commercial uses. Water also supports all forms of life and affects our health, lifestyle, and economic well being. As individuals, we use water for sanitation, drinking, and many other human needs, and we pay for the public water utilities that provide water. Examples of the amount of water used by an individual during everyday activities are shown below (compare the gallons to a gallon of milk): • To flush a toilet 5 to 7 gallons • To run a dishwasher 15 to 25 gallons • To wash dishes by hand 20 gallons • To water a small lawn 35 gallons • To take a shower 25 to 50 gallons • To take a bath 50 gallons • To wash a small load of clothes in a washing machine 35 gallons • To brush teeth (running water continuously) 2 to 5 gallons The average American uses 140 to 160 gallons of water per day. Although more than three quarters of the earth's surface is made up of water, only 2.8 percent of the Earth's water is available for human consumption. The other 97.2 percent is in the oceans; however, this water is too salty to use for most purposes, and the salt is very costly to remove. Most of the Earth's fresh water is frozen in polar ice caps, icebergs, and glaciers. News  Design By | JudahsGate Holben’s Plumbing Co.