It is expected that by the year 2050, freshwater will be the new oil.
For some reason or another, water conservation ranks among the lowest environmental priorities in developed nations including the United States, Canada, and the EU.
What You Can Do About Water Conservation
Water conservation is a tremendous privilege for some and an elusive necessity for others. If you are lucky, you have abundant access to fresh, safe drinking water. Do not take it for granted!
Turn off the faucet when not in use
Many people are in the habit of leaving the water faucet running while brushing their teeth, shaving or washing their face. While it may seem like a small amount, added up over a lifetime you can save thousands of gallons of water.
Filter Your Water
Filtering your water will all you to re-use the same glasses, kettles without washing, thanks to the removed contaminants by your filters. Countertop water filters are an affordable way to filter water at home.
Be Mindful of Shower Time
Everybody loves the warm and soothing feeling of a shower, but how much water is wasted for that brief moment of bliss? Consider taking cold showers, which will ensure you take the fastest possible shower, while also conserving some energy on your hot water tank.
Do Not Buy Disposable Plastic Water Bottles
Bottling companies enter municipalities and put significant pressure on local water supplies, in addition to polluting our oceans and landfills. Carry a glass or stainless steel water bottle with you and re-fill when available.
Limit Car Washes
Many automated car washing stations may use a whopping 100 gallons of water to wash a single car while servicing dozens per hour. While the sense of pride from a pristine car is understandable, know that water is may not be available for someone to drink in the future, so your car can be shiny today.
Appliance Eco-Mode
The most common household appliances that use water offer an eco-mode to conserve water. Many of us simply ignore this option, but we implore you to test them before judging. If your clothes and dishes are just as clean, why not use less water?
Wash Pots and Pans by Hand
Large cookware takes up a lot of space in your dishwasher, and can even be damaged by being in there. Take the time to gently wash your stainless steel cookware by hand to save water and maintain your expensive cookware.
Be Aware of Your Water Consumption
While there are hundreds of thousands of uses for water, only you can determine what is appropriate. We live in a fortunate time where water seems free, however, there is a future cost hidden in each gallon.
Whether it is how often you flush your toilet to how often you water your garden, remember that your decisions may impact the lives of millions of people in the future.