Published: Feb. 25, 2016
Picture of varsity bridge

Each month, CU-Boulder's Environmental Center provides eco-tips with the goal of promoting sustainable choices. February's topic is water use.

Did you know:

  • The average American uses about 2,000 gallons of water each day.
  • 95 percentÌýof that water usage is hidden in the food, energyÌýand products we use:
    • one gallon of gasoline = 13 gallons of water
    • one hamburger = 634 gallons of water
    • one pair of jeans = 2,900 gallons
    • one plastic water bottle = 100 gallons
  • Over 30 million people rely on the Colorado River.

What you can do:

  • Reduce your water usage by making sustainable choices! Using reusable products, taking public transportationÌýand buying second-hand clothes cuts hundreds of gallons from your consumption.
  • Take theÌý.ÌýFor every pledge that CU receives, 1,000 gallons of water will be restored to the Colorado Basin. You can also text CUwater to 27126 to pledge.

Community Resources:

  • Get a free water consultation throughÌýÌýto learn how to increase water use efficiency in your home.ÌýSlow the Flow has saved an estimated 66,720,000 gallons to date by providing 1,673 water consultations annually to front range residents.

by Drew Searchinger, CU Environmental Center outreach and engagement assistantÌý