Get the Facts: Data and Research on Water Consumption

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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, and US adults drank an average of 44 ounces.
  • Among US children and adolescents, plain water intake is significantly lower in younger children, non-Hispanic Black children or Hispanic children (compared to non-Hispanic White children), those living in lower-income households, youth whose head of household had less than a high school education (compared to college or higher), and those who are underweight or normal weight (compared to those with obesity) (Table 1).
  • Among US adults, plain water intake is significantly lower in older adults, non-Hispanic Black adults (compared to non-Hispanic White adults), adults with lower income and lower education, and adults without obesity (Table 2).

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Table 1

Mean Daily Plain Watera Intakes Among US Children and Adolescents Aged 2 to 19 Years, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b

* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).
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 <85th percentile), overweight (BMI 85th to 95th percentile), obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile), in relation to the 2000 CDC growth charts age- and sex-specific percentiles.

Table 2

Mean Daily Plain Watera Intakes Among US Adults Aged 20 Years and Older, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b

GED: General Educational Development.
* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).
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 <25; overweight, BMI 25 to <30; obesity, BMI ≥30.
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This site provides information for private well owners.  Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water. This website educates well owners on wells, groundwater, and information on protecting their health. It is estimated that more than 13 million households rely on private wells for drinking water in the United States (US Census American Housing Survey 2017).

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Page last reviewed: June 7, 2022
Content source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion