How We Abuse Water

            Water is abused in a number of different ways, not only the household water wasting we are usually informed of. For example, agriculture uses 93% of our freshwater and half of that is used for livestock. Although this may not seem like a way in which we abuse the Earth’s water, it is. We use this water to irrigate crops that feed the livestock and provide drinking water for the livestock as well. This is a large amount of water and labor being put forth into livestock that we will later kill and eat. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef and one person eats 250-300 pounds of beef each year. This totals out to about 625,000 gallons of water used for one person to eat beef for one year. That amount is used solely on raising beef for that one person to consume. By eating more plant-based foods, the amount of water we use for livestock could be reduced. A step in the process of using water to provide food for humans would be avoided by eating plant-based foods as well. It definitely seems as though we are abusing the amount of water necessary for human life by using so much of it just to produce the vast amounts of beef we consume. The amount of water we use as drinking water pales in comparison to the amount used for agriculture and livestock, with our drinking water representing only 1% of all water used annually.

            China is an example of a country that is continuously abusing our water with its rapid growth of water use in its industries. The country also holds the title for the largest rate of increase in beef consumption, which only adds to the world’s abuse of water through livestock.

            Another major way water is abused is through water pollution. Polluted surface water causes us to mine underground for water, which uses more of the world’s aquifers. Some aquifers are being pumped at 250 times their ability to replenish.

            Finally, the most common things we hear about how we abuse water occur in the home. Water can be wasted by doing things like leaving the water running – while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or doing the dishes – which uses about three gallons per minute; not filling the dishwasher or washing machine with a full load, which can use up to fifteen gallons for a dishwasher and 40-55 gallons for a washing machine per load; leaks – dripping faucets, worn-out shower heads, running toilets – can use up to 10,000 gallons of water annually per household; long showers, which use around seven gallons per minute. In addition, inefficient appliances and fixtures can worsen the effects of all of these methods of water abuse.

Sources:

Barlow, Maude. "Water Abuse and Climate Change." Our Water Commons. Web. 06 Mar. 2012.          <http://ourwatercommons.org/feature/water-abuse-and-climate-change>.

Oppenlander, Dr., Richard A. "Water: Escalating Concerns." Comfortably Unaware. 06 Feb. 2011. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://comfortablyunaware.com/blog/water-escalating-concerns/>.

Holley, Casey. "10 Ways We Waste Water." Livestrong. 25 May 2010. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/130826-waste-water/>.

Etolen, Nicole. "Ways to Help Save Water." Livestrong. 18 May 2010. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/126226-save-water/>.

"What's the Cost of Not Conserving?" Community Science Action Guides. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://fi.edu/guide/schutte/howmuch.html>.