Calculating the water waste for the entire US based on the assumptions mentioned is a complex task, as it involves numerous variables and data points. However, I can provide a rough estimation using the given numbers.
Let's assume there are approximately 130 million households in the US (based on the assumption of a 2-3 family household). If we consider an average consumption of 52 steaks per year per household, we can multiply the water footprint per steak (15,000 liters) by the number of steaks (52) to get the total water usage per household.
15,000 liters/steak x 52 steaks = 780,000 liters per household
To estimate the total water waste for the US, we would multiply the water usage per household by the number of households:
780,000 liters/household x 130 million households = 101.4 trillion liters
Please note that this is a simplified calculation and does not account for variations in household sizes, dietary preferences, or other factors that may affect meat consumption. Additionally, it's important to consider that water usage extends beyond meat consumption to other aspects of daily life.
Calculating the precise water waste and its comparison to the number of vegans/vegetarians in the US would require more detailed data and analysis. It's worth noting that the water footprint of plant-based diets is generally lower compared to diets that include significant amounts of animal products.
For a more accurate assessment, it would be necessary to consult scientific studies, research papers, or reports that specifically analyze water usage in the context of meat consumption and dietary patterns.