Water: The Essential Life Source

1. Scott Kudelka Minnesota State University, Mankato, Water Resources Center

5. What do we know about water? • Every organism is composed mainly of water • Human body is about 70% of water, • A living tree is made up of 75% of water • A cactus nearly 90% • The human brain is 75% of water • An universal solvent, water carries nourishment to plant and animal cells and removes waste • Water also cushion joints, along with protecting organs and tissues

8. We use it every day for: • Drinking, • Cooking, • Bathing, • Watering our lawn, • Washing our cars, • Rehydrating prepared foods, • Filling and cleaning our aquariums

10. How much water do you use in day • A gallon? • Ten gallons? • Each person uses at least 160 gallons of water per day • A 10-minute shower uses about 55 gallons of water • Takes 100,000 gallons of water to produce an automobile including tires • In medieval times a person used only 5 gallons of water per day

21. How we can impact our water • Conserve the amount of water you use whether it is in the home, office or while playing, • Don’t dump used medication down the toilet • Properly dispose of used oil and other fluids • Put in a rain garden to help filter runoff from your yard before reaching a water body • Use gray water for your garden or indoor plants • Be knowledgeable about water issues in your neighborhood, state and nation