Sustainable Living through Water Conservation
Water is the most basic need that we have on earth – and the most important. Without water, there can be no life. We rely on water for drinking, for growing plants and trees that give us fruits, vegetables, and cotton for clothes, and even for cleaning our bodies which happen to be 72.8% water! Water is what makes life and living possible and protecting it benefits every living thing on this earth!
Watch this video from the World Wildlife Fund about the importance of water!
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that water conservation is extremely important and at least 36 states will face water shortages by next year. Around the world people face water shortages that leave their communities without sufficient drinking water and food. We are very fortunate to live in an area of the world with such an abundance of fresh water but we need to remember that there is only a small amount of accessible fresh water on earth and we need to conserve it for everyone.
Conserving water can easily be done with simple lifestyle changes such as:
• Brushing your teeth with the tap off (never leave faucets running)
• Only flushing the toilet to be rid of bodily wastes (don’t use the toilet as a trash can)
• Running the dish washer and washing machines only when they are full
For those who want to be even more proactive, the installation of efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances significantly reduce water waste. Examples are:
• Repairing leaky faucets
• Replacing appliances, shower heads, and toilets with new ones that have Energy Star or EPA WaterSense symbols on them
• Installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater and using it to water your garden or house plants
Be a wavemaker for water conservation. By protecting water, we protect ourselves and each other.
There are countless reasons why water conservation is important. Why is it important to you?
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”
– Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack