FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) - As Southern Californians sit
down this year for another Thanksgiving dinner, they should be thankful
not only for the food, friendship and cheer -- they should also give
thanks for the water that makes the dinner possible.
According to the Orange County Water District, this year's typical
Thanksgiving dinner for ten people will have taken approximately 20,000
gallons of water just to get it into the kitchen(a).
Add to these numbers at least 40 gallons of water to cook the meal,
along with another 80 gallons for washing the dishes, and 1,230 gallons
for miscellaneous water use by the group for showering, brushing teeth
and other daily tasks not related to Thanksgiving dinner. And don't
forget to add at least one more cup of water for the after-dinner
antacid.
"It has taken some incredible vision and talent by those in the water
industry -- past and present --to make these large amounts of water
available to the general public," said Philip Anthony, OCWD director.
"Between our imported and groundwater resources, the capabilities we
have for cooking, agriculture, environmental purposes and farming are
nothing short of amazing. During this time of thanks, we shouldn't
leave these visionaries out."
Not to endorse the fast food industry, but as a means of comparison, if
the same group of ten people went out for chicken sandwiches, french
fries and soft drinks, about 10,000 gallons of water would be used --
equaling half as much.
Here's a breakdown of the numbers (based on a dinner for 10 people):
Food (Gallons of water required to produce product):
20-lb. Turkey (13,200), Lettuce Salad (150), Rice (360), Potatoes
(210), Cranberry Sauce (360), Gravy (400), Corn (610), Broccoli (220),
Milk (960), Bread Dressing (330), Butter/Margarine (920), Pumpkin pie
(620), Cherry pie (750), Soft Drinks (100), Water to drink (1), Coffee
(100),
Total: 19,291
The water requirements include the water required to raise the animals
or grow the plants. Figures do not include the additional water used in
food preparation, defrosting, etc.
Figures provided by California Department of Water Resources water
education materials. Figures also represent approximations based on like
foods (i.e., estimate for cranberries based on high water product
requirements similar to rice).