Thanksgiving in the United States is fast approaching, and many are planning to gather with loved ones and enjoy a traditional festive meal.

Have you stopped to think about how much water you’re eating throughout the course of the meal? Most of your Thanksgiving buffet has a water footprint (the amount of water required to produce the item).

Let’s talk turkey, the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving feasts. Aside from the water turkeys drink, water is used to clean the birds’ living spaces and processing equipment. Water is also used to produce the turkey’s feed of corn, wheat, oats and millet. According to Population Education, it takes about 266 gallons of water per pound of turkey, meaning a 15-pound turkey takes 4,330 gallons of water (enough to fill a 12-foot diameter, 3-feet deep swimming pool).

The water footprint of some other traditional items served for Thanksgiving are below:

Once you’re done eating, the pile of dishes and utensils need cleaning. Plain Talk about Drinking Water offers several tips to conserve water after the festive meal:

• Remove the residue from each cooking utensil and dish without using water, and don’t rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher.
• Clean vegetables in a pan of water rather than under running tap water, and then use that water to give your plants a drink.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is full.
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap to cool your drinking water.
• Use a pail or basin instead of running water for household cleaning. A sponge mop will use less water than a string mop.
• Presoak grills or oven parts overnight when they need cleaning. Wash with an abrasive scrub brush or pad and use plenty of “elbow grease” to minimize water use.”

This Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate clean water and all the different – sometimes inconspicuous – ways it makes our family meals wonderful.