Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered in water. Everywhere you look, you can find some body of water, natural and man-made—ponds, lakes, rivers, pools. Unlike humanity’s prehistoric ancestors, most people now, particularly those who are living in developed countries, don’t need to travel days and nights to find the nearest source of water. Twist the tap at home, and there’s water gushing out. Visit any establishment, and you’re sure to find a water supply. So if there’s so much water around, why the need for water conservation?
Why You Should Conserve Water
While there are 326 million trillion gallons of water on earth (there are eighteen zeros!), only 2.5 percent is freshwater. However, most of it is stuck in polar ice caps and glaciers. That leaves humanity with only 1 percent of the world’s freshwater supply.
The planet has always had the same amount of water. Dinosaurs and other long-extinct creatures have used the same water supply as humans have today. It’s a testament to how well the earth has provided for its inhabitants. Unfortunately, humans just can’t return the favor.
In the United States, 900 billion gallons of water is wasted every year because of leaky faucets and pipes at home. On average, a family of four consumes up to 400 gallons of water per day. A thirty-minute shower can use up to 75 gallons of water.
Simply changing old appliances and fixtures can be a huge help. An old toilet uses up to 7 gallons of water per flush. Imagine how much you’re wasting every time you use the bathroom! New toilets are built to maximize water efficiency. An eco-friendly one, like the low-flush Sanicompact toilet, uses a dual-flush system and only consumes 1 to 1.28 gallons of water per flush, a huge difference from old models.
With the rapid rise of the global population, rampant wastage, climate change, and environmental disasters, people are running out of potable water. Take action. Check out this infographic on water conservation. Household water use accounts for only 8 percent of the world’s water consumption, but any effort to conserve water is a step toward sustainable living.
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