How Much Plain Water Americans Drink, 2015–2018

Getting enough water every day is important for health and helps the body work normally. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, which may cause unclear thinking, mood changes, overheating, constipation and kidney stones.

How much people drink

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2015–2018:

"Plain water" counted tap water, drinking fountain and water cooler water, bottled water and spring water, from a single 24-hour dietary recall. Differences were counted as significant at P < 0.05. Weight status came from body mass index (BMI): for children, based on measured height and weight against CDC's 2000 growth charts (obesity at or above the 95th percentile); for adults, obesity meant a BMI of 30 or more.

Who drinks less

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

• younger children;
• non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children, compared with non-Hispanic white children;
• youth in lower-income households;
• youth whose head of household had less than a high school education;
• those with underweight or healthy weight, compared with those with obesity.

Among adults, it was significantly lower for:

• older adults;
• non-Hispanic Black adults, compared with non-Hispanic white adults;
• adults with lower income and less education;
• adults without obesity.

Tools

• CDC toolkits for increasing access to drinking water and healthier beverages in early care and education settings, and in schools, including short training modules to help students drink more water during the day.
• EPA resources on reducing lead in drinking water in schools and childcare facilities, consumer confidence reports on drinking water quality, and information for private well owners.
• The Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network's Drinking Water Work Group studies policy and economic issues around free, safe drinking water.

Sources

• CDC, "Fast Facts: Data on Water Consumption": https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/php/data-research/fast-facts-water-consumption.html
• CDC, "About Water and Healthier Drinks": https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/index.html