Water
conservation means using our water wisely and caring for it properly.
Since each of us depends on water for life, it is our responsibility to
learn more about water conservation and how we can help keep our water
pure and safe for generations to come. Since we all enjoy the benefits
of having pure, clean water, we must help conserve water so that we may
continue to enjoy these benefits.
Water conservation is not a job
that is just for the technician, soil scientist, hydrologist, forester,
wildlife manager, plant scientist, city planner, park manager, farmer,
rancher, or mine owner alone. It is a job for the every day person who
just likes to have access to the life sustaining resource of water. We
must all recognize that water conservation really is our personal
responsibility and not just leave it up to other people. We all enjoy
the many ways that we use water, so why not do our part in caring for
our water?
Our water supply is finite, which means that we do not
have an endless supply. We only have the water that we have now. Ninety -
seven percent of all the water on the earth is salt water which is not
suitable for drinking. Only three percent of all the water is fresh
water, and only one percent is available for drinking water. The other
two percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers.
With all the people
on Earth relying on such a small percentage of all the water on Earth,
it only makes sense that we must preserve and conserve our water. We
must not pollute our water because it is the only water we will ever
have. Some people do not realize the importance of water, and they are
continually polluting it. Only about ten percent of waste water is
disposed of properly.
It
is important that we save water because it is essential to sustain
life. This page will tell you more about the importance of conserving
water for fish and wildlife. Animals rely on lakes and rivers for food
and water.
There are many animals that rely on the lakes and rivers
and other bodies of water to supply them with life sustaining water, and
for many of them food, also. Bears and birds are examples of animals
that rely on fish as a main part of their diet. There are other animals
that also eat a lot of fish. These animals would not know what to do if
there were not enough fish for them to eat. Fish have always been a main
part of their diet. Every part of nature depends on the other parts to
help keep everything working right. Just as bears depend on salmon as a
major part of their diet, and salmon depend on the water as their
habitat, so every other thing in nature has things that it depends on.
Some people call this the web of life, it is also known as an ecosystem.
Wetlands
and Watersheds are also areas where numerable plants and animals other
than fish make their home. When these areas are threatened by water
pollution, the plants and animals are also threatened. Once a plant or
animal becomes extinct, it is gone forever. Whales are one example of a
species that has been in danger of becoming extinct. People have hunted
whale for many years, and the water that they live in has also been
polluted by oil and sewage. The ocean covers four-fifths of our planet.
It is alive with activity - from tiny plants to gigantic whales. We must
look after our water and preserve it, for without water there would be
no life.
We need to conserve water so that our trees and plants can have life. Read this page to find out more about how important water is to the life of our trees and plants. Plants are the source of all of our food. These plants receive energy from sunlight and store it in the food that they produce.
This process called photosynthesis, is a process of the plant converting carbon dioxide and water to oxygen. This process is accelerated by a green pigment called clorophyll which is the pigment that makes the leaves green. The oxygen which is released during this process is what we breathe. This oxygen is also a life sustaining resource without which we could not live. Only green plants are capable of carrying out this amazing process of photosynthesis. The earth's entire source of food and most of its oxygen come from these plants.
Because plants are the source of all of our food and most of our oxygen, we need to make sure that they have enough water to carry out the process of making food and oxygen. Plants need water. They absorb the water and then let it pass through to their leaves where it is evaporated. Without water, there would be no life and there would be no life without plants either. It is necessary that we recognize the importance of plants and realize that we must conserve water so that we will continue to have a good supply of food and oxygen which we need to sustain life.
Forests provide a natural habitat for wildlife in Washington. Forests slow the water flowing down slopes, which reduces the amount of sediment runoff that contaminates rivers and streams. This keeps the water purer and helps give fish a healthier place to live. The forests also provide the earth with healthy topsoil. In the fall when the leaves and pine needles drop to the ground, they disintegrate and leave very healthy topsoil.
We need to protect the forests. They are an important part of our state. The trees purify the air that we breathe just as green plants do. Trees depend on water to live just as all other living things do. We should never cut down a tree within 100 feet of water. Doing this would contaminate the water and hurt the fish and other life in the water. When we cut down trees, we should plant new trees. This way there will always be trees available to meet our needs.
If we abuse our natural resources now, we will ruin them, and they will not be available for people in the future. This means that our children and grandchildren may not have enough clean, pure water to drink if we don't conserve it for them and ourselves. We have a responsibility to the future. We must protect and conserve our state's natural resource of water!
We must conserve our water so that it will be available to people for years to come. Click on the link above to read more about the importance of this. It's 85 degrees and your throat is parched. As sweat drips down your neck, you envision a tall glass of cool water. You enter the kitchen, grab a glass, and turn on the faucet. Nothing happens. You stare, incredulous. Your mouth believes it's filled with cotton as you sprint to the bathroom, twist the faucet and wait for that nice clear water to rush out. Nothing happens. What's going on?? You stare at your empty glass and reevaluate your dog, who laps happily out of the toilet bowl.
Does that make you think twice about whether or not you should help conserve water? It is our responsibility to help conserve and preserve Washington's water so that we will always have plenty of pure, clean water to drink and use for other purposes as well. There are many places in the world where there is not enough pure, clean water for the people, but people cannot live without drinking.
Every 8 seconds, a young person in a third world country dies from insufficient water supply or lack of pure water. Right now most of us have plenty of water and by just turning on the faucet, it is at our disposal. What we have plenty of with such little effort, we often take for granted. We don't usually think twice about the water that goes down our drain. When we turn on the faucet and water comes pouring out right down the drain, we don't even think about the fact that we are wasting water. The average American uses between 150-250 gallons of water daily. We could easily get by with a lot less if we just took the time to think about little things like turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth or shaving. We need to think when we use water, pay attention to what we are using it for, and we will soon realize just how much water we have been wasting.
The demands on our fresh water are ever increasing in today's modern society. New uses for this precious resource are being discovered constantly. Of all the water used in the United States, about 47% is used in agriculture, 44% in industry, and only about 9% is used in households. Of the 9% that is used in households, only a very small portion is actually used as drinking water.
Americans use more water per household than any other country in the world. The results of the United States Geological Survey record that about 450 billion gallons of water are used in this country per day. That amounts to somewhere around 2,000 gallons per person per day. I know, you don't think that you use anywhere near that much water every day. You are right, you don't use that much water every day. That figure includes water that is used on farms and in factories to produce the food you eat; to cool your house, school, stores, and work places; to generate energy for running lights and appliances; and to produce manufactured goods. Even if you don't use 2,000 gallons of water every day, you probably use a lot more than you think. It is estimated that the average American uses between 100 and 200 gallons of water every day in the home.
People have always relied on lakes and rivers to provide food. Commercial fishing has been a prominent industry, as well as a vital source of food. Laws have been made about how many fish may be caught when and where so that people do not over-fish any body of water. When our water becomes polluted, many fish die and this creates a problem not only in the food chain, but also in the job line. Many people make their living fishing, and if there are not enough fish to keep all of the fisherman busy, then there could be many people without jobs.
#1) Set in your mind that I don't waste water without proper reason.
#2) When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing.
Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
#3)
Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with
wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for
significant water savings.
#4) Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
#5) Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
#6) Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
#7) Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
#8) Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
#9) Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
#10) For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator
instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not
the drain.
#11) Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
#12) Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
#13) Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
#14) Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
#15) Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
#16) If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
#17) Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
#18) If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
#19) We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
#20) If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
#21) Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before
watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under
the soil surface, you still have enough water.
#22) When buying new
appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments.
They're more water and energy efficient.
#23) Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
#24) Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
#25) Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades
roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
#26) When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
#27) Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
#28) Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet
bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000
gallons a month.
#29) When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
#30) Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be
watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
#31) Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
#32) Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a
water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
#33) Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil
moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
#34) Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
#35) Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
#36) Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
#37) Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
#38) Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
#39) When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
#40) Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
#41) Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
#42) Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
#43) Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
#44) Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
#45) Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
#46) Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
#47) To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
#48) Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
#49) Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
#50) Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
#51) Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
#52) Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
#53) Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
#54) Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
#55) Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
#56) Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
#57) Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
#58) Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind
you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a
minute.
#59) If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
#60) Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.