The Oil Drum

207 comments on DrumBeat: May 22, 2007

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Donal on May 22, 2007 - 6:31am

The typical U.S citizen is a sponge.

Americans consume on average 96 gallons of fresh water per day — the most of any country. The frugal French use just 39 gallons daily; in Israel, it’s even less — 26 gallons.

Even as we continue to be a worldwide leader in water consumption, our thirst continues to grow, as we build larger homes, bigger lawns and more and more golf courses.

Where the new water will come from is a problem that is causing water wars across the country, and Maryland is no exception.

“The water wars have already started,” said Jesse Richardson, an associate professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech. “I foresee more and more of those conflicts. In the East we already have had Maryland and Virginia fighting over the Potomac.”

http://www.examiner.com/a-741065~A_watery_grave.html

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chapterwon on May 22, 2007 - 8:25am

Americans consume on average 96 gallons of fresh water per day

Given that a gallon of water weighs ~8 pounds ("a pint is a pound, the world around") this means that a typical American family of 3 uses over a ton of water a day.

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sharppa on May 22, 2007 - 10:29am

I received my water bill a few weeks ago. Here in Pennsylvania, I paid $40 for 15 thousand gallons of water for my family of four for 6 months. This doesn't include the sewer bill ($300 yearly, paid separately) but it's a ridiculously small amount of money to pay for that much water. It's no wonder we all use so much.

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Donal on May 22, 2007 - 12:11pm

Hmm, in Altoona, we were paying $45 per month for water and sewer. And last I heard, the city was trying to sell off the Water Authority.

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sharppa on May 22, 2007 - 12:58pm

I'm in a township outside Allentown. The township gets the sewer payment yearly. The Lehigh County Water Authority gets the water bill every 6 months. $380/12 is $31.67 so not far off from what you pay.