Fast Facts: Data on Water Consumption

At a glance

• Getting enough water every day is important for health and helps the body function normally.
• Plain water consumption varies among demographic and socioeconomic groups.
• CDC and EPA have tools on water safety and how to improve water consumption.

Plain water consumption varies

Getting enough water every day is important for health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, which may cause unclear thinking, mood change, overheating, constipation, and kidney stones.

Plain water consumption varies by age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

During 2015–2018, US children and adolescents drank an average of 23 ounces of plain water daily. US adults drank an average of 44 ounces.

Among US children and adolescents, plain water intake was significantly lower in:

• Younger children.
• Non-Hispanic Black children or Hispanic children, compared to non-Hispanic White children.
• Youth in households with lower incomes.
• Youth whose head of household had less than a high school education.
• Those with underweight or normal weight, compared to those with obesity (Table 1).

Among US adults, plain water intake was significantly lower in:

• Older adults.
• Non-Hispanic Black adults, compared to non-Hispanic White adults.
• Adults with lower income and less education.
• Adults without obesity (Table 2).

Children and adolescents

Table 1. Mean daily plain watera intakes among US children and adolescents 2 to 19, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b

• Significantly different from the reference group (P a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) from measured weight and height data: underweight/healthy weight (BMI

Adults

Table 2. Mean daily plain watera intakes among US adults 20 and older, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b

GED: General Educational Development.* Significantly different from the reference group (P a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2): underweight/healthy weight, BMI

Tools

CDC toolkits for early care and education settings and schools

• Increasing Access to Drinking Water and Other Healthier Beverages in Early Care and Education Settings
• Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools
• Water Access in Schools Microlearning Modules - a guide for schools to help students drink more water during the day.

Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN)
Drinking Water Work Group focuses on policies and economic issues regarding free and safe drinking water access.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Reducing lead in drinking water in schools and childcare facilities.
• Consumer confidence reports about drinking water quality
• Private drinking water well information for well owners.

Related pages

• About Water and Healthier Drinks
• Be Smart About Sugar
• Rethink Your Drink
• Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds

Related peer-reviewed publications with CDC authors, 2012 - 2022.

Youth

Associations between household water fluoridation status and plain tap or bottled water consumption.

Correlates of infrequent plain water intake among US high school students: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2017.

Dietary and physical activity behaviors among high school students – Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019.

A water availability intervention in New York City public schools: influence on youths' water and milk behaviors.

Student-reported school drinking fountain availability by youth characteristics and state plumbing codes.

Perceptions of tap water and school water fountains and association with intake of plain water and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Factors associated with low water intake among US high school students – National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study, 2010.

Adults

Factors related to water filter use for drinking tap water at home and its association with consuming plain water and sugar-sweetened beverages among US adults.

Perceptions of drinking water safety and their associations with plain water intake among U.S. Hispanic adults.

Community-based policies and support for free drinking water access in outdoor areas and building standards in U.S. municipalities.

The relationship of perceptions of tap water safety with intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and plain water among US adults.

Behaviors and attitudes associated with low drinking water intake among U.S. adults, Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, 2007.

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