Our water supply is finite, which means that we do not have an endless supply. We only have the water that we have now. 97% of all the water on the earth is salt water which is not suitable for drinking. Only 3% of all the water is fresh water, and only 1% is available for drinking water. The other 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers.
We have the same amount of water now as there was when the earth was created. This is the water we have, and we must preserve its quality. We must not pollute our water because it is the only water we will ever have.
Water is the foundation of food and life. Next to air, water is our most precious resource. We cannot live without water. Saving water helps to preserve our environment. It reduces the energy required to process and deliver water, which helps in reducing pollution and in conserving fuel resources.
Saving water now means having water available in the future for recreational purposes, too. Conserving the water we have minimizes the effects of water shortages and helps build a better defense against future drought years. If we save water now, we are helping to ensure a water supply adequate for future generations.
As our population grows, more and more people are using up this limited resource. With all the people on Earth relying on such a small percentage of all the water on Earth, it only makes sense that we must preserve and conserve our water. Since each of us depends on water for life, it is our responsibility to learn more about water conservation and how we can help keep our water pure and safe; use it wisely and not waste it.
When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact.
General Tips
- Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
- One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
- We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses.
- Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
- While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
- Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
Kitchen tips
- When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.
- Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.
- Don’t use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
- Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup, it’s one more way to get eight glasses of water a day.
- Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients. Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
- If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
Laundry Tips
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
- When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load. When buying a washer.
- Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
Bathroom Tips
- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month. Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
- When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
- Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
- Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons. If your toilet flapper doesn’t close properly after flushing, replace it.
- Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
- Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
- Turn off the water while:
- you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
- washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
- you lather when washing your hands
Outdoors
- Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.
- Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.
- When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your non-edible plants.
- When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways, and save water every time.
