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LET'S START WITH SOME FACTS:
According to the EPA, only 3% of our planet's water is fresh. Of this 3%, 68.7% is trapped in glaciers and 30% in the ground. What does this mean? Despite all of the water you see when looking at planet earth, only a small percentage is fresh water.
The EPA also reports that homes use more than half of all publicly supplied fresh water in the US, more than businesses or industry. They estimate that a family of four is uses 400 gallons every day.
Not included in this estimate is the water needed to produce what we eat. The U.S. Geological Survey in their Water Science School estimates an egg, toast and coffee breakfast will have used almost 450 gallons of water to produce! Try 10 gallons for that slice of bread and 400 gallons for that egg. And for that cup of coffee? Add another 35 gallons of water.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONSERVE WATER? Try some of what we've done:
- Watch your water usage - take shorter showers. Turn the faucet off while you brush your teeth. Avoid using the toilet as a trashcan and then flushing. Dispose of tissues in the waste basket instead (or switch to reusable handkerchiefs.)
- Update and repair - fix leaky, dripping faucets and toilets that run. When replacing shower heads and faucets, switch to low flow models.
- Wash full loads - when using the dishwasher or washing machine, try waiting until you have a full load.
- Consider choosing foods to reduce your water footprint - try eating less meat, drinking water instead of soft drinks and buying your fresh fruits and vegetables locally.
