Although there are many things to admire about cyclist and activist Lance Armstrong, his blatant water abuse isn't one of them. According to the New York Times, Armstrong's Austin home guzzled down 330,000 gallons of water in July alone! For comparison, most US households only use 120,000 gallons of water in a year. I've told you about Celine Dion's bad water habits in the past, but Armstrong's rate takes the cake, especially since Texas is going through a bad dry spell.
To find out more, and to see photos of Armstrong's house and water-guzzling gardens, read more.
In Armstrong's defense, he was quoted in an article in the Austin American-Statesman as saying "“I’m a little shocked. . . . There’s no justification for that much water.” However, the retired cyclist has consistently used a gluttonous amount of water in his Austin home. The New York Times article notes,
But city water records suggested that his home has long been a guzzler of water, using an average of 158,000 gallons a month since January 2007. Then, in June, the cyclist shot ahead of the pack, topping the city’s list of residential water users for the first time, officials said. That month his house and garden drank up 222,900 gallons.
The 8,000-square-foot Spanish-style mansion, which was recently featured in Architectural Digest includes three acres of gardens and a swimming pool, which could explain some of the water use. However, there's just no justification for this type of blatant water use. Perhaps Armstrong should consider native landscaping or xeriscaping for his Texas home.
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H. Eich
Diesel
Prada
Water usage would go down if these people would realize they don't need an 8000 sq ft house, or 3 acres of gardens.
1Whoa. That's crazy.
2I disagree linb. I think more importantly, water would go down if Americans were charged more for water usage (which they should be!).
According to the article, he used 330,000 gallons in one month and the bill was about $2,500--to European standards, that is way too cheap for water.
3Its one thing to have 3 acres of garden, its another to demand the gardeners water all of it, or have it require water. There are lots of plants that dont, and that thrive without it (not just cactii!). There are ways to cut down its just they dont care.
They will when the water runs out though!
4You can have acres of gardens if you use native and adaptive plants, have a good watering system, and avoid acres of turf grass. The first thing I noticed about his property was a green lawn. No one has a green lawn this time of the year in Austin, unless you water religiously or have just enough shade. In Central Texas, 50 days of 100+ degrees and little rain will not yield that much green.
I am also surprised that he would not have a rain barrel.
Celebrities and politicians use far more resources than we do, yet often we hear from them about how we need to conserve. I think they mean "save resources for me to use."
5Sidc — Ha! Love that last sentence!
6ass.
I love to hate this guy so this is no surprise to me.
7It's nice to know that what i try to do to save water is being completely wiped out by this a**hole
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