Ryan Harms’ Water Ryan Harms’ Water Consumption in Consumption in

AlaskaAlaskaHow living in a “dry” cabin saves How living in a “dry” cabin saves

money and resources. money and resources.

Living without Running WaterLiving without Running WaterAccording to the American Water Works According to the American Water Works Association, the average American household Association, the average American household consumes 69.7 gallons of water/person each consumes 69.7 gallons of water/person each day. *day. *

Source: The American Water Works Association

I set out to answer I set out to answer one simple question: one simple question: How much less water How much less water do I use than the do I use than the “average” American “average” American household?household?

I set out to answer one simple question:

How much less water do I consumeThan the “average” American Household?

Some Important Factors to Some Important Factors to ConsiderConsider

An “average” American household is assumed to have these amenities:

I l ive in a “dry” I l ive in a “dry” cabin…cabin…

…and have none of these.

Average American Household Average American Household Daily Per Capita Water Consumption by Gallons Daily Per Capita Water Consumption by Gallons

and Percentageand Percentage

Toilets---18.5 Toilets---18.5 Clothes Washers--15 Clothes Washers--15 Showers---11.6 Showers---11.6 Faucets---10.9 Faucets---10.9 Leaks---9.5Leaks---9.5 Baths---1.2Baths---1.2 Dishwasers---1.0Dishwasers---1.0 Other Domestic Other Domestic

Use---1.6Use---1.6

Shower17%

Clothes Washers

22%

Dish Washers

1%Toilets

26%

Baths2%

Leaks14%

Faucets16%

Other Domestic

Uses2%

Source: American Water Works Association

You May Have Noticed You May Have Noticed Something About the Big 3Something About the Big 3

Toilets account for Toilets account for more than one more than one quarter of all water quarter of all water used by the average used by the average American each day. American each day. That’s a lot of waste!That’s a lot of waste!

Imagine all the water Imagine all the water that could be saved if that could be saved if everyone followed everyone followed ““if it’s yellow, let it if it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown, mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down.”flush it down.”

My Personal Water My Personal Water Consumption HabitsConsumption Habits

November 9-16, 2009.November 9-16, 2009. Total water used: 49.5 gallons. Total water used: 49.5 gallons. Leaves me wondering…Leaves me wondering… How is it possible that by average, every man, How is it possible that by average, every man,

woman, and child in America consumes 69.7 woman, and child in America consumes 69.7 gallons a day, when I do not consume that much gallons a day, when I do not consume that much water in a week? water in a week?

What are people doing out there? What are people doing out there?

Possible Explanations for the Possible Explanations for the High Average in AmericaHigh Average in America

The average household resident is The average household resident is assumed to have the “amenities,” so is assumed to have the “amenities,” so is possibly not at all conscious of the amount possibly not at all conscious of the amount of water they waste. of water they waste.

Many people live in water abundant Many people live in water abundant places and simply don’t think of the cost places and simply don’t think of the cost associated with simple water services. associated with simple water services.

What I learned about water What I learned about water prices!prices!

Here in Healy, the minimum cost of Here in Healy, the minimum cost of having a well at your own home is having a well at your own home is approximately $6,000. approximately $6,000.

It’s likely to cost more than $10,000. It’s likely to cost more than $10,000.

Source: Aurora Drilling, Fairbanks. Source: Aurora Drilling, Fairbanks.

Some Questions I’m Still Some Questions I’m Still Asking MyselfAsking Myself

How much does the average city dweller How much does the average city dweller pay for city water services? pay for city water services?

How many showers and loads of laundry How many showers and loads of laundry could I get at Chevron for $10,000.could I get at Chevron for $10,000.

What is the dollar amount ascribed to one What is the dollar amount ascribed to one gallon of potable water, worldwide, if gallon of potable water, worldwide, if such a number exists? such a number exists?

Thoughts for the FutureThoughts for the Future

Water conservation begins at home: Water conservation begins at home: there’s no time like right now to begin there’s no time like right now to begin paying attention. paying attention.

International efforts are being made to International efforts are being made to bring about greater awareness for the bring about greater awareness for the need to conserve water worldwide. need to conserve water worldwide. For more details. For more details.

ResourcesResources

American Water Works AssociationAmerican Water Works Association www.drinktap.org/www.drinktap.org/

Aurora Drilling. Fairbanks, AK. Aurora Drilling. Fairbanks, AK. (907) 456-6712 (907) 456-6712 Telephone Interview with customer ServiceTelephone Interview with customer Service

Stockholm International Water InstituteStockholm International Water Institute www.siwi.org/www.siwi.org/