Water well drilling facts and figures

Here are some interesting facts and figures on water and well drilling from our Faribault well drilling experts:

Water

• Water expands by 9% when it freezes
• Only about 1% of all water can be used for all of our needs. The rest is either trapped in ice caps or too salty or undrinkable. 
• The same amount of water is available as when the earth formed. 
• The average person can live for only about a week without water. 
• The average U.S. resident uses about 50 gallons of water per day. 
• The quality of water is influenced by natural factors (rock, gravel, sand, etc.) and pollution (agriculture, aquifer protection, etc.). 
• Approximately half of all household water is used outside for lawn and garden care.
• The bathroom is where the most water is used inside the home.
• The United States consumes twice the rate of other industrialized nations.

Water Well Drilling

• Your well be protected against all types of contamination with a properly sealed cap.
• "Smelly" water is often the result of sulfur, which can also corrode your plumbing. 
• Studies have found most would prefer to have their own private well. 
• A properly constructed well can be an asset to your property. 
• Your well won't go dry from using too much water.
• "Rusty" wells are usually the result of iron/manganese in the groundwater.

Some figures: 

• 1.2 billion: People without access to clean water. 
• 6.8 billion: The number of gallons American flush down the toilet every day. 
• 80: Percentage of fresh water used for irrigation crops and thermoelectric generation. 
• 8.34 pounds: The amount one gallon of water weighs. 
• 4,000: Number of gallons of water evaporated off one acre of a corn field.