Hold off on that shower, it’s #DroughtDay
As the California drought grinds into its fourth year, the barren shoreline of Shasta Lake shows the steady drop in water level. The reservoir on the Sacramento River holds about 40% of the federal Central Valley Project’s stored supply.
If you haven’t already taken a shower, hold off because Wednesday is #DroughtDay.
Drought Day, a national movement driven mostly by social media, was created to bring awareness of the amount of water wasted during a single shower. Those conserving water Wednesday were urged to share their experience by using the hashtag #DroughtDay.
Organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, officials say 2.7 billion gallons are wasted daily during showers in the U.S.
That equals to a lot of waste, and could fill up any large arena, they said.
—2,597,400,000 gallons would fill nine Empire State Buildings
—1,950,000,000 gallons could load up two Superdomes
—1,653,600,000 gallons would fill four Willis Towers, America’s tallest building in Chicago
—1,095,704,064 gallons could load up four aircraft carriers
—779,688,000 gallons would fill 100 White Houses
—59,494,780 gallons could pack the Titanic
—68,750,000 gallons could provide a glass of water for every person in Africa
June 17 has been designated as a global day to combat desertification and the effects of drought. This year, it was launched as an effort to conserve water in the U.S.
In California, urban communities across the state were ordered to cut water use by 25% as the state grapples with its fourth year of drought.
Last week, Obama administration officials said Western states would receive $110 million in new drought assistance, much of which will go to California.
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA
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