In the spirit of being thankful, let’s take a moment to recognize the silent hero of your Thanksgiving dinner. Water. That’s right, football and turkey may have been the stars of the show in previous years, but now it’s time to recognize the real glue that holds this day together.
Water plays a critical role in making your Turkey Day feast a reality. Whether you’re boiling potatoes, steaming vegetables, or even helping grandma make her famous pumpkin pie, none of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes would be possible without water.
Did you know that the average Thanksgiving dinner uses 20,000 gallons of water? Let’s investigate more specifically how much water is required for our favorite dishes to make it to the table:
- One roasted 15-pound turkey: 4,330 gallons of water
- A bowl of mashed potatoes: 275 gallons of water
- Green bean casserole: 547 gallons of water
- 24 dinner rolls: 585 gallons of water
- Pecan pie: 1,086 gallons of water
That’s a lot of water! As you can see, water plays an integral role in this cherished holiday. We’re here to remind you that tap water has your back when you need clean and reliable water fast during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
Everyone knows the kitchen is the busiest place to be on Thanksgiving Day. As relatives pile into your home and appetites grow, you don’t see your mom questioning the quality of tap water before diving into meal preparation. Thankfully, our regional water agencies work hard year-round, so you can get straight to the festivities. The Safe Water Drinking Act was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the United States. This law focuses on all waters designed for drinking use, whether from above ground or underground sources. The Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum standards to protect tap water and requires all owners or operators of public water systems to comply with these primary standards. That’s one big reason to feel grateful.
As we give thanks for our family, friends and food this Thanksgiving, we should also give thanks to the clean drinking water we have at our fingertips. Unlimited access to clean and dependable drinking water is a privilege we often take for granted.
As our planet is comprised of about 70 percent water, it may seem as though clean drinking water is accessible to many. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When you rule out our oceans and ice caps, less than 1 percent of all water on Earth is drinkable. In the United States, we are fortunate enough to have one of the safest and most reliable drinking water systems in the world. With hearts full of gratitude, we encourage you to trust in your tap water and know that it is being tested to the highest standard for your safety and well-being.
Need another reason to be thankful? Every community water supplier must provide an annual report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report, or “CCR,” to its customers. The report provides information on local drinking water quality, including the water’s source, contaminants found in the water and how consumers can get involved in protecting drinking water. With that being said, what’s stopping you? Pour a glass (of tap water), gather around the people you love and be thankful.
Keep the conversation flowing by following us on social media and sharing why you trust in tap!
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