Water usage isn’t something a lot of people think about. We turn on our faucets or flush our toilets and just expect water to come out. However, understanding how much water we use and where it comes from is important to using our resources responsibly.
In the United States, about 27.4 billion gallons of water are used and drawn from surface and groundwater per day for residential use, according to an article from the National Environmental Educational Foundation (NEEF).
According to a study from UW-Madison, Wisconsin uses more than 7 billion gallons of water daily. About 80 percent of that water goes to thermoelectric power production.
How Much Water Does the Average Household Use in Wisconsin?
According to the same NEEF study, average Wisconsin homeowners use around 51 gallons of water per day.
Their study also explained how if each Wisconsin resident reduced their shower time by one minute, we could save about 3.1 billion gallons of water per year.
Overall water usage for your home or business can increase if you have leaking pipes, faucets, or water heaters. If you notice leaking pipes in your home or business, contact our plumbing service team to check your plumbing, helping to save you money on your next water bill.
What’s the Largest Source of Useable Water in Wisconsin?
Now let’s look at where the water actually comes from. The largest water source for home and business owners is groundwater in Wisconsin.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, about 66 percent of people use groundwater as their drinking water source. The other 33 percent of Wisconsin residents receive drinking water from Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago.
Groundwater is abundant in Wisconsin since each time it rains and snows, the water seeps back into the soil, recycling itself into the underground aquifers. An aquifer is a rock layer below the earth’s surface that can be supplied to people through a private well or public water system.
Contact the Professionals at Watters Plumbing Today
If you notice an increase in your monthly water bill, check your home or business for leaks. If you see that your faucet is dripping water or that leaks are occurring around your pipes, contact the Fox Cities plumbing professionals at Watters Plumbing today! Our team can ensure your plumbing is working properly.