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Fun facts and conservation tips
Do you know the story of drinking water?
how much of the earth is covered with water?
what is water made of?
what three forms can water take?
what is the water cycle?
how is water cleaned?
is water free?
Fun facts and conservation tips

animation of a seal balancing a pitcher of water on it's noseFun Facts
  • Without water, the earth would look like the moon.
  • 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.

Conservation Tips

  • Check household faucets for leaks. A faucet with even a slow drip takes 10 to 25 gallons of water. Just think, 15 drips per minute add up to almost 3 gallons of water wasted per day, 65 gallons wasted per month, and 788 gallons wasted per year!
  • Keep showers to 5 minutes or less in length. A five-minute shower takes 10 to 25 gallons of water.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Then you won't have to run tap water to cool it.
  • Use a broom to sweep your driveway, garage, or sidewalk instead of using water.
  • Use a bucket of water to wash your bike or the family car and rinse quickly with a hose.
  • 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.
  • Use water only when you need it. Don't leave water running; be sure to turn it off when you are finished.
Return to the City of Durham's Department of Water Management

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