Jump to main content or area navigation.  Questions & Answers
About the WaterSense Program  WaterSense Logo  Why does the
United States need a water efficiency program?  Water is a
finite resource. Between 70 and 75 percent of the Earth's
surface is covered with water, but only 1 percent of that is
available for human use. While both world population and the
demand for freshwater resources are increasing, supply remains
constant. Water efficiency helps preserve our water supply for
future generations.  Is water supply an issue everywhere in the
United States?  There are many markets in the United States that
already face water shortages, and the number of markets facing
this issue is projected to grow in the future. A Government
Accountability Office survey of water managers across the
country showed that at least 36 states were anticipating local,
regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013, even under non-
drought conditions. Water efficiency is a much more cost-
effective tool to help local markets manage