Saving Water, Saving Money and Saving the Earth – Water Conservation Guide

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Overview

Fresh water is a limited resource and while 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only 2% of it is fresh water.  As fresh water becomes scarcer, it will not only become more difficult to get fresh, clean water, but it will also become more expensive.  Conserving water is a great way to reduce costs while doing something positive for the environment and future generations.

Why Water Conservation is Important

Fresh water is a limited resource in our world and with increased need from homes, business, and agriculture; droughts and water shortages are likely to become more frequent as we proceed into the future.

We do have vast amounts of salt water available in our oceans: however, it is not drinkable in its current form. Water desalination plants are an option for turning the oceans’ waters into potable water, but it is extremely costly and many areas (including inland areas and those with limited resources) do not have the option.

Water Conservation Information

Water conservation is done with several goals in mind:

  • To preserve our water supplies for future generations
  • To avoid the destruction of habitats and the wildlife that live there
  • To reduce the need for energy used to move water and wastewater from one location to another
  • To reduce the cost for individual households

To learn more about why we conserve water, visit:

Statistics

  • Less than two percent of the earth’s water is fresh water.
  • Less than one percent of the water on earth is safe for human consumption.
  • Americans use an average of 100 gallons of water per day when at home.
  • Between five and ten percent of American homes have water leaks that lose 90 or more gallons per day.
  • Toilets take up about twenty percent of our daily water usage.
  • Showers take about eighteen percent of our daily water usage.
  • A bath requires approximately 35-40 gallons of water.

To learn more about the numbers behind the need for water conservation efforts, visit:

 

Saving Water and Money at Home

Home Information

The simplest place to start conserving water is where many of us use it the most: at home. Small changes around the house can add up to significant reduction of water and wastewater bills, along with minimizing our impact on our limited water supplies and the environment as a whole.

To learn about what you can do, visit:

Water Saving Tips

  • Bathroom:
    • Avoid flushing the toilet when it is not necessary.
    • Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket. Put tissues, cigarettes and other items in the trash instead of in the toilet.
    • Do not leave the water running while shaving or brushing your teeth.
    • Check pipes, the toilet, and faucets for leaks!
    • Switch to a water conserving showerhead.
    • Install a low-flow faucet aerator.
    • Take shorter showers.
    • The next time you remodel, switch to a low-flush or dual-flush toilet.
  • Kitchen:
    • Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
    • Fill a basin with soapy water for doing the dishes.
    • Do not put water down the drain if it can be used elsewhere, such as for watering plants.
    • Put drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap each time you need a glass of water.
    • Use a bowl of water to wash produce rather than running it under the tap.
    • Add a low-flow faucet aerator.
    • Check the sink and pipes for leaks.
  • Laundry room:
    • Only run the washing machine when it is full.
    • Adjust the settings on the washing machine to accommodate for the proper load size.
    • Check for leaks!
  • Outdoors:
    • Use a bucket of soap and water when washing the car.
    • Use a broom to remove dirt from sidewalks and driveways instead of hosing them down.
    • Harvest rainwater to use on landscaping.
    • Water the lawn early in the morning or in the evening to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
    • Consider landscaping that requires less or no water.
    • Use a garden hose nozzle that has a shut-off valve.
    • Check for leaks in water pipes.
    • Position sprinklers so that they aim at vegetation and not pavement.

For more ideas, visit:

Additional Resources

 

Getting the Kids Involved

Your water conservation efforts will be more productive when you involve the kids! It is important to teach not just how to conserve water, but also why we are doing it. Kids can get involved by making colorful signs to remind family members to do things from the above list, such as turning off the faucet while tooth brushing. They can also learn about the fresh water resources of the planet by visiting fun educational games and resources online:

 

Links for Parents and Educators

You can also get involved in the kids’ water conservation education by following lessons plans and curriculums provided by universities and even NASA:

 

General Water Conservation Resources

There is always more to learn when it comes to saving one of our planet’s most valuable resources. Check out the following links to keep learning:

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