Water is an essential part of our daily life. Not just how much we drink, but what we use when we shower, wash dishes and clothes, and garden. Not to mention what we use to make products and farm.
Water conservation has only gotten more important. The population of the United States has doubled over the last 50 years, our use of water has tripled, and with warming and changing climates, water shortages are predicted for the near future.1
By being more mindful about how to conserve water, we can set ourselves up for a better situation in the future. Many think about water conservation during droughts. However, this isn’t the only time to think about conserving water. In the western United States, the climate is continuing to get drier, which means that any excess water used is wasteful and can make the problem worse in the long run.2
So, what can we do to conserve water?
Ensuring efficient and responsible uses of water helps us and the wildlife that need it. Some efforts include:2&3
- Required standards for appliances
- Rethinking your gardening plan (choosing plants that need less water)
- Efficient irrigation systems
- Reducing water use in industrial processes
- Fixing leaks (about 10 gallons per day is lost from leaks)
- Using the dishwasher (dishwashers use 4-6 gallons of water, washing by hand uses 20)
- Covering your pool (to prevent evaporation loss)
- Buying recycled products
- Recycling paper products (which saves roughly 3.5 gallons)
Water conservation can be done on an individual and industrial level. Small changes can make huge differences to prepare us for a future where we’re water secure.
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