At lunch the other day, a friend of mine indicated that she knew how to save water because she was a “Drought Baby.” I asked her what that meant and she indicated that, because she grew up in the 1970’s (there was a serious drought in California from 1976-77) and that she was quite proficient about conserving water and had done so for years. Her mother would only turn the faucet on half-way to wash their produce and only wash the veggies for a couple of seconds “you did not need to us so much water when washing your vegetables.” What I found most interesting about my friend’s tales of water conservation, was not the creative ways her mother had reduced their family’s water consumption, but that she was eating a Roast Beef Sandwich while claiming to be a “Drought Baby.” Did you know that it takes 1,850 gallons of water to make one piece of steak?
Food for thought, did you know that 95% of your water foot print is hidden in the food we eat? Only 5% of the water we use to survive comes from bathing, washing, toilets, garden hoses, etc. As we embark on the next phase of water conservation, we, as consumers, will need to consider the foods we choose. Recently there have been articles on a variety of websites, discussing the Drought in California and how that will effect the price of produce. What I find interesting about these articles is that the only discuss the price of produce, and don’t give consumers suggestions on what they can do.
So, as a Water Baby (I am Aquarius, am passionate about water, and feel very small when standing near the ocean). I suggest that we consider the imbedded water in what we eat. Is it possible for you and your family to celebrate “Meatless Mondays”? Or perhaps “Fish Fridays”? Please don’t distort my words to suggest that I am saying to conserve water, you have to give up beef. Or not eat at all. I am merely hoping that you will consider (and celebrate) the food you choose and understand your “water footprint.”
We are “water” we eat.
Water Conservation Showcase: Food Facts
It takes 1,500,000 gallons of water to produce the food consumed each year by the average U.S. Resident.
– National Park Service
Water required to produce some foods:
Food Gallons/Pound
lettuce 23
tomatoes 30
carrots 33
oranges 49
apples 49
tomato sauce 52
potatoes 60
broccoli 65
cantaloupe 80
milk 96
orange juice 98
wheat 108
wheat bread 126
corn 168
plain yogurt 176
white bread 198
avocado 220
white sugar 224
soybeans 240
tofu 244
brown rice 256
pasta 288
alfalfa 360
white rice 400
eggs 573
chicken 815
cheese 896
almonds 1,280
pork 1,630
butter 2,044
beef 500-5,000
Sources include the Water Education Foundation, University of California Agricultural Extension & Ecological Integrity: Integrating Environment, Conservation and Health edited by David Pimentel