Okay, the answer is debatable. Suffice it to say, however, that if your water bill is north of $2,400, you're unequivically past the limit.

A few months ago, I wrote a post on water consumption in the US. The occasion was a new Website that allows you to calculate how much water you use each day through a series of simple questions.

I was shocked to learn that my consumption is over 1,000 gallons per day -- all from just taking a daily shower, washing dishes by hand, using my indoor plumbing, and drinking from the tap. Those who drive cars and have larger homes consume even more.

Then there are those who have very large homes, with manicured lawns lush with exotic plantlife, rolling lawns, and swimming pools.

One such estate-dweller grabbed some headlines this week for his mind-boggling intake of 330,000 gallons per-month at his Austin, Texas abode. That's 38 times the amount the average Austin household goes through for the summer, making this homeowner the top individual consumer of water in all of Austin.

Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion-turned-philanthropist against cancer, expressed shock when he found out. The Austin-American Statesman reports that he said he had no idea he was using so much water, agreeing that there is no justification for it. "I need to fix this," he was quoted saying.

Mr. Armstrong's July water bill was over $2,400 per month, reports the New York Times.

I should be clear: I am in no way trying to bash Armstrong's good name. He not only expressed shock about his water use, but pledged to fix the problem. For that, he should be applauded.

But think about this: What if Lance Armstrong weren't famous, constantly in the headlines for his humanitarian work? What if he were just another super rich guy with a huge house and no public image to protect? Would we have even heard about this egregious act of waste? What's more, how effective would it be to ask him politely to cut back?

Sure, this is cynical. But if you're inclined to guzzle a few hundred thousand gallons of water per month keeping your estate beautiful, how conscientious can you be?