Understanding Water: A Vital Resource We Can’t Take for Granted

Believe it or not, the water in your glass today could be the same water that once refreshed a dinosaur millions of years ago. That’s because the water on Earth is not newly created—it’s recycled. Our planet has a fixed amount of water that continuously moves through the natural water cycle. Nature reuses water; it doesn’t make more of it.

Fresh Water is Scarce

While more than two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered in water, only about 2.8% of that is freshwater. Of that small percentage, only 0.3% is accessible and usable for human needs. With global population growth accelerating, the demand for this limited supply of fresh water continues to rise dramatically.

In the last decade of the 20th century alone, the world population grew by more than a billion people. And over the next 50 to 90 years, it's expected to double again. This makes responsible water usage not just important, but critical for our future.

Our Water Usage Is Bigger Than You Think

Think about how many ways you use water every day—drinking, cooking, showering, cleaning, laundry, watering the lawn. In the U.S., the average family of four uses around 250 gallons of water per day. But household use is just one part of the picture.

Everything from food production to manufacturing relies on massive amounts of water:

• It takes 100,000 gallons to build a single car.
• Your Sunday newspaper? That required 280 gallons of water to print.
• A five-pound bag of flour? 375 gallons.

Over the past 50 years, water usage in the U.S. has more than doubled, and even faster in many parts of the world.

Water Quality Matters

If you’re worried about the quality of your tap water, you’re not alone. A survey by the Water Quality Association found that 75% of Americans have concerns about their home’s water quality. Another poll found that nearly half of all people avoid drinking water straight from the tap.

Even if your local water supply meets EPA standards, contamination can still occur. Runoff from farms and industrial sites, acid rain, and aging infrastructure all contribute to potential water quality issues. As cities grow and agriculture expands, the pressure on fresh water supplies continues to increase.

Unfortunately, even developed countries experience major water contamination events. In 1993, a cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee affected over 400,000 people, resulting in more than 100 deaths. Similar incidents have occurred in more than 1,000 U.S. communities in recent years.

What Can You Do?

Governments are investing in water treatment infrastructure and higher water quality standards—but many families are choosing to take action on their own.

RainSoft Great Lakes Water Treatment offers advanced, in-home water treatment systems to give you peace of mind, right from your tap. Our systems are designed to reduce contaminants, improve taste and clarity, and ensure your water is safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and more.

Clean, healthy water starts at home. Let us help you protect it.