Information, Tips and Helpful Hints for Water Conservation

Clean water helps sustain all forms of life.

In the last several decades, the importance of water conservation has become a more crucial topic than ever before. Enormous amounts of energy and resources are used on a daily basis to supply fresh, clean drinking water to people all over the world. Each generation must be taught traditional conservation techniques, as well as new ones that evolve over time, to help use water in the wisest way possible.

Use Less

Whenever possible, try to use less water for drinking, cleaning and bathing. Fortunately, conservation is not difficult to do in most instances. Don't leave the water running if you don't have to, such as when brushing your teeth or doing dishes. In fact, using a dishwasher actually conserves more water than cleaning dishes by hand. Take showers instead of baths--baths can use up to 25 gallons of water, while showering takes less than 10. Go one step further by keeping showers short--it is quite possible to clean yourself adequately in the shower in 15 minutes or less.

Outside Water

It's not only the inside of your home, but the outside as well that is ripe for water conservation. When watering your lawn, do so only at night--that way, the heat of the sun will not cause the water to evaporate right away. The water will soak into the grass all night long, dispensing with the need to re-water it constantly. Consider washing your car less frequently, and check weather reports before you do so. If it's going to rain anyway, nature may do the job for you.

Get Innovative

Using a cistern to collect rainwater for the household is becoming a feasible option for many homeowners. The cistern gathers and filters the water, which is pumped into the house. It can then be used for any purpose in which water is supplied by traditional plumbing methods. Not only is this collection an excellent way to conserve your water usage to protect the environment, it helps reduce your water bills as well, once the initial investment of the cistern has been paid off.

Pass It On

Teach everyone in your household to conserve water: even small children can be taught conservation habits. Explain to your children how the family will work to use less water and offer tangible rewards when they help to do so. Spread the message of water conservation by giving lectures on the subject, writing blogs, and encouraging others to follow your example.

References

• "Water Consciousness"; Tara Lohan; 2008