How did you use water today? To brush your teeth? To take a shower? To make your morning cup of coffee? We just turn on the tap, and there it is. But, it’s not that simple. Water is delivered to us in a network of pipelines that was installed decades ago, and these pipelines are nearing the end of their service life. The American Water Works Association estimates $1 trillion is needed over the next 25 years to upgrade existing water systems and meet the drinking water infrastructure needs of a growing population.

AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company is joining water and wastewater utilities, public officials, business leaders, engineers, manufacturers and more in Imagine a Day Without Water – Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the value of water to humanity, the country’s aging and failing water infrastructure, and the need for public and private investment.

This is the second year AMERICAN has participated in Imagine a Day Without Water. Last year, more than 350 companies and organizations across the world joined in the effort. This year our focus is on the values of water– fire protection, drinking, health, life and economy – in our everyday lives. Below are some facts related to these values.

 

Fire protection

– Almost 400,000 house fires occur in the U.S. each year, and water that flows from fire hydrants is essential to fighting these fires.

 

 

Health

– U.S. hospitals use an average of 570 gallons of water per staffed bed every day, reports Healthcare Design.
– Washing your hands is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs.

 

Drinking

– If you paid as much for water as you do for soft drinks, your water bill would skyrocket more than 10,000 percent.
– Every year the U.S. loses 1.7 trillion gallons of drinking water to faulty, aging or leaky pipes.

Life

• – The average American uses 64,240 gallons of water a year.
  – The American Water Works Association estimates $1 trillion is needed over the next 25 years to replace aging pipes.

Economy

– 46 percent of water consumed in the U.S. is used to produce the products we buy.
– One-fifth of the U.S. economy would grind to a halt without a reliable and clean source of water.