Being Smart About Water | Excalibur Plumbing

With so much water in lakes, oceans and in polar ice caps, it seems like the Earth has an abundant supply of water, but that’s hardly the case. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “less than 1 percent is available for human use.” This is because much of the water is saltwater or it’s too inaccessible for us to use easily and affordably.

Water is extremely important; it’s life. Without water, we wouldn’t be able to run our local businesses or our households, nor would we be able to grow our crops or raise farm animals. Not only do civilians and businesses need water to function, but our city parks, firefighters, and public swimming pools also use a lot of water.

According to the EPA, “As the second most populous state in the country, Texas has a large and continually growing demand for water.” Thanks to the Lone Star State’s semiarid climate, it’s vulnerable to extreme droughts. “Efficient water management and water conservation projects” are helping Texas meet its water needs, according to the EPA.

Where does Texas get its water from?

60 percent comes from groundwater.
Nine major aquifers supply a lot of the state’s groundwater.
Surface water from rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, coastal basins and the Gulf of Mexico.
3 percent of the state’s water comes from reclaimed water; however, by the year 2060, that number is projected to by 10 percent.

How Much Water is Being Used

In the United States, in our homes, we use water to take showers, to do laundry, to wash dishes, and to water our lawns. “The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. Roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors,” says the EPA.

How much water do Americans use?

24 percent is used for toilets
20 percent is used for showers
19 percent is used for faucets
17 percent is used for clothes washers
12 percent is used for leaks

(Source: Water Research Foundation, Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2, 2016)

One of the most important ways to conserve water in the home is to promptly repair any leaky faucets or showerheads. After all, the EPA says, “National studies indicate that, on average, 14 percent of water treated by water systems is lost to leaks. Some water systems have reported water losses exceeding 60 percent.” The single most effective thing you can do to save water is to stay on top of leaks so they don’t end up wasting thousands of gallons of precious water.

For leak detection and repair in Cedar Park and Leander, call Excalibur Plumbing!