Did You Know?

Industry

• The major source of electricity comes from power plants near large dams.

Water moves through turbines in the dams to create electricity. Unfortunately, the turbines kill any fish that enter them. Fish ladders and other controls are used to help salmon pass past the dams without harm. However, there is more work to be done to help the salmon.

• A single Columbia River salmon is worth $2,000 for the economy.
• That nationally, sport fishing alone as a single business would top the sales of Coke, GTE and Dow Chemical? (source EPA: Liquid Assets)

Having an abundant source of water is essential to many industries. Water may be used in the production of computer chips or steel, or can be the key ingredient in soft drinks and medicines.

• 1 gallon of water to process a quarter pound of hamburger?
• 5 gallons of water to make one board foot of lumber?
• 9 gallons of water to process a can of fruit?
• 24 gallons of water to make one pound of plastic?
• 1,851 gallons of water to make one barrel of crude oil?
• 39,090 gallons of water to manufacture a new car, including tires?
• 62,600 gallons of water to produce one ton of steel?

Increasly, companies are choosing to become directly involved in community programs to protect the local water source. For example, the Hershey Foods Corporation is working with its local water company in Pennsylvania to ensure that their water stays clean. The Olympia Brewing Company in Washington has adopted the motto "It's the water" to convey powerful images of fresh and pure water.