By: Jagwinder Singh

Water covers approximately 70 percent of the Earth's surface, but less than 1 percent of that is available for human use. The world must share this small amount for agricultural, domestic, commercial, industrial, and environmental needs. Water use in the United States increases every year. At least 36 states are aware of state wide water shortages by 2013.

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• The Colorado River that serves 20 million people in the Southwest could essentially run out of water in 13 years. Colorado River runs about 1,450 miles from Colorado to Mexico. Provides drinking water for more than 27 million people. Irrigates more than 3.5 million acres of farmland. Hydroelectric dams include Hoover, Glen Canyon, Parker and Davis. Reservoirs include Mead, Powell, Mohave and Havasu. Cities that rely on its water include San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Recreation areas include Grand Canyon National Park. Managed mainly by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

• The Colorado River that serves 20 million people in the Southwest could essentially run out of water in 13 years. Colorado River runs about 1,450 miles from Colorado to Mexico. Provides drinking water for more than 27 million people. Irrigates more than 3.5 million acres of farmland. Hydroelectric dams include Hoover, Glen Canyon, Parker and Davis. Reservoirs include Mead, Powell, Mohave and Havasu. Cities that rely on its water include San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Recreation areas include Grand Canyon National Park. Managed mainly by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

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are needed to see this picture.

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New York City was allowed to draw 440 million gallons of water a day from the Delaware and its upstream. 84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 - 14. 884 million people, lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people.Less than 1% of the world's fresh water (or about 0.007% of all water on earth) is readily accessible for direct human use.On average, 50-70% of household water is used outdoors (watering lawns, washing cars). It costs over $3.5 billion to operate water systems throughout the United States each year. At least 1 billion people must walk three hours or more to obtain drinking water.