Fun Facts:
- There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank.
- In Washington State alone, glaciers provide 1.8 trillion liters (470 billion gallons) of water each summer.
- If everyone in the US used just one less gallon of water per shower every day, we could save some 85 billion gallons of water per year.
- All living things need water to live. People can live several weeks without food, but only a few days without water. We should drink six to eight glasses of water each day!
- Water makes up 83% of our blood, 70% of our brain, and 90% of our lungs. Overall, our bodies are 70% water.
- A tomato is about 95% water. An apple, a pineapple, and an ear of corn are each 80% water.
Water Conservation Tips:
- Check household faucets for leaks. A faucet with even a slow drip takes 10 to 25 gallons of water. Use AWWA’s online tool to estimate water waste and learn how much water you could be saving: Drip Calculator
- A five minute shower can use 10-25 gallons of water. Take short showers and save water.
- Repair leaky toilets. To check for leaks, add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, your toilet is leaking. (Make sure to flush your toilet at the conclusion of the experiment to prevent staining!)
- Water your lawn in the evening or in the early morning to avoid evaporation. Be careful to water only the lawn and not the sidewalk or street.
History of Drinking Water Week:
For more than 35 years the American Water Works Association has celebrated Drinking Water Week with its members.
In 1988, AWWA brought the event to the attention of our government and subsequently a resolution to name the first week of May as Drinking Water Week, and an information kit was distributed to the media and to more than 10,000 utilities.
The following year, AWWA approached several organizations to participate. Through these efforts, the National Drinking Water Alliance was formed of 15 nonprofit educational, professional, and public interest organizations. The Alliance dedicated itself to public awareness and involvement in public and private drinking water issues, and continued its work to organize a major annual educational campaign built around Drinking Water Week.
The power of the multi-organization Alliance enabled Drinking Water Week to grow into widespread and committed participation throughout the United States and Canada. In 1991, the Alliance launched a national campaign to inform the public about America’s drinking water. The group distributed a kit containing ideas for celebrating Drinking Water Week, conservation fact and tip sheets, news release and posters. The theme was “There’s a lot more to drinking water than meets the eye.”
Coloring Pages:
- Water Cycle Coloring Sheet (PDF)
- Water Distribution Maze (PDF)
- El Ciclo del Agua (PDF)
- Laberinto de Distribucion de Agua (PDF)