[INFOGRAPHIC] As Drought Continues, This is How America is Using Its Water Supply

We’re in a drought. This is not new information—the drier and warmer parts of the United States are already years into the worst drought in centuries, with no sign of relief on the horizon any time soon. The state of California just recently passed ordinances mandating stricter rules for water usage, but the jury’s still out on whether they go remotely far enough to slow down the massive issues facing one of the top agricultural states in the country.

So what do we do about it? That’s a good question. It starts with taking a good look at how we’re using water. Design and graphics company Column Five created this infographic for the documentary Last Call at the Oasis, laying out some statistics on how businesses and individuals in the United States use water every day.

The numbers might be surprising—individual and public usage only accounts for 12 percent of water consumption, relatively minor compared to the 32 percent used by the irrigation and livestock industries (which itself is dwarfed by the amount of water consumed for the creation of thermoelectric power).  But based on the numbers, it’s up to all of us—individuals, public agencies, and private sector businesses—to work together and find solutions. There’s not a lot of water left, and we’re going to have to make it last.

[SOURCE: Energy Digital]