10 Fun Facts About Water in 2024

Check out these fun and insightful facts about water as it relates to life and our planet.

By: Maggie Pace

Water is quite literally the lifeblood of our planet — it’s in our bodies, regulates our weather and climate, and sustains all living things. While you probably already know this, there’s so much more to this precious resource that will make you appreciate it even more. From the vast oceans that cradle continents to the invisible role water plays in our health, these interesting water facts will expand your understanding of water’s true role in our everyday lives.

1. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, with about 97.5% of it being in the form of saltwater in the oceans

That means — you guessed it— just around 3% of this water is fresh. However, 2.5% is trapped in glaciers, in the atmosphere, or in the soil, making just 0.5% of all fresh water drinkable. This makes water something to be used wisely, not wasted.

2. Water can’t be destroyed, but it is finite

The good news is that water is a renewable resource, but how we manage the amount that we have matters. Keeping our natural freshwater sources clean and free of pollutants gives us more usable and drinkable water to work with; otherwise, we risk diminishing our potable water supply.

3. Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater globally, accounting for around 70% of total freshwater withdrawals

While we need water to help grow the food we eat, looking into water-resilient agricultural practices can help maintain our available freshwater supply, especially as our global population continues to grow and it’s believed that agricultural production will need to expand 70% by 2050. Some ideas include enhancing water delivery systems so that they’re more efficient, using advanced technologies to gauge the exact amount of water needed for ideal soil moisture, and reorganizing irrigation systems.

4. Over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and more than 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity at least one month a year

While not all areas of the world currently enjoy regular access to fresh water, this global challenge has spurred positive initiatives aimed at improving the situation. Factors such as contamination, regional conflict, climate change, and distribution challenges have brought attention to the importance of water security. Thankfully, organizations like UNICEF are at the forefront of efforts to identify new water sources, develop efficient distribution systems, and work towards ensuring that every community has access to this essential resource. Through their dedicated work, they are helping to bring hope and a brighter future to regions that have faced water-related difficulties.

5. In the United States alone, 34 billion gallons of wastewater is processed every day

When treatment facilities filter food, chemicals, and biological waste, they play a vital role in ensuring that our water resources remain clean and safe. The process of treating wastewater not only helps protect the environment but also contributes to the responsible use of water. By understanding the sheer volume of water involved in this process Americans can become more aware and committed to utilize this precious resource efficiently in their daily lives.

6. The adult body is up to 60% water

Our body depends on water so much that we can’t live three days without it. In fact, water is responsible for lubricating our joints, facilitating the cell cycle, converting food to nutrients, helping deliver oxygen throughout the body, and more. That’s why it’s important to get your daily intake of water: 11.5 cups for women and 15.5 cups for men.

7. In a year, the average American residence uses over 100,000 gallons

This includes water used for indoor and outdoor purposes. On an individual level, the average American uses over 100 gallons of water daily — think showers, cooking, gardening, handwashing, etc. With millions of Americans relying on water for household and hygienic needs, you can imagine how much water keeps our daily routines going.

8. Water regulates the temperature of the planet

Although the ocean houses the greatest amount of undrinkable water on Earth, the sea still works to our planet’s advantage. Ocean currents help disperse solar radiation, cooling nearby lands and distributing heat more evenly across the planet’s surface. Otherwise, temperatures would render more of our lands uninhabitable.

9. Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, including sulfuric acid

Why is this important? Water is able to act as a carrier of helpful nutrients and harmful chemicals, too. This is why water is essential for our bodies—it not only transports vitamins and minerals to our organs, it helps transport waste out of them to keep us healthy. Water also enables us to wash away waste, dirt, and other unwanted debris to keep things clean.

10. The EPA requires all city water systems to submit a water report each year

Once a year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires every community to submit a water report to its customers. So, if your home receives water from a municipality, you can look at the water report online. This report will provide details on where your water comes from, what contaminants have been found in it in the past year, and the potential health effects from those contaminants. Reading your city’s water report can be a little confusing. The Water Experts at Aquasana can look up your city’s annual report and provide more information on which contaminants are present in your drinking water. From there, they can recommend a water filtration system. For example, if your city water shows high levels of lead, our Water Experts may recommend a whole house filtration system that specifically tackles lead, like the OptimH2O®.

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10 Extra facts about water

Here are more eye-opening statistics that shed light on the relationship between water and our world:

Water is linked to energy production. It takes a significant amount of water to generate electricity, with power plants in the United States accounting for about 41% of all freshwater withdrawals.
Every year, 7.2 million Americans get sick from waterborne diseases. These can come from biofilm within pipes, recreational water venues, and industrial water systems.
In many developing countries, women and girls often spend several hours each day collecting water for their households. This time-consuming task can limit educational and economic opportunities for women, highlighting the gender dimension of water access.
Producing one pound of beef requires an astonishing 1,800-2,500 gallons of water, making meat production one of the most water-intensive aspects of agriculture.
Despite freshwater being a finite resource, its distribution is highly unequal. For example, Canada has about 20% of the world's freshwater supply, while some African countries struggle with severe water scarcity.
It takes about 1,500 gallons of water to manufacture one pair of jeans, highlighting the substantial water footprint of the fashion industry.
Over half of the world's major aquifers are being depleted faster than they can be naturally recharged, primarily due to excessive groundwater pumping for agriculture and municipal use.
Since 805 AD, over 3,600 international water treaties have been drafted, demonstrating the geopolitical significance of water.
Leaking faucets and pipes can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water per year in an average American household, illustrating the need for regular maintenance to conserve water.
Switching to energy-efficient appliances and fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and high-efficiency washing machines, can reduce water consumption in households by up to 30%.

Understanding the vital role of water in our lives not only enlightens us about its significance but also highlights pressing issues surrounding water quality. It serves as a reminder that clean and safe water is a fundamental necessity for our well-being and the environment. If you're keen on enhancing the quality of your drinking water, Aquasana offers a range of home water filtration systems designed to ensure you and your family have access to pure water.