Water Conservation and Restoration
You can help protect our freshwater supply to ensure that we have enough clean freshwater for the future. We must aggressively act to conserve this most precious resource.
We must learn not to turn to conservation just in times of drought or emergency water shortages but, rather, incorporate it into our lives every day. Here are some practical steps we can take around the house to accomplish that:
You can get your home or a place of business inspected for water-efficiency. It doesn't require changing the way you live or do business. A simple water-efficiency inspection can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars, prevent from water leaks and disasters. While at the same time, you will help save freshwater for future generations.
Indoors:
- Repair dripping faucets and leaking pipes. A loss of one drop of water per second wastes 2,400 gallons (9,000 liters) of water a year.
- Install low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, and faucet aerators. Aerators can reduce faucet water use by up to 60 percent.
- Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting a faucet run while waiting for the water to get cold.
- Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth.
- Fill the sink with water to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher rather than passing them under running water.
- Operate the dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded.
Outdoors:
- Unused or slightly used water is often suitable for other purposes. As you wait for the shower water to heat up, place a bucket in the shower to catch water for watering plants. Leftover drinking and cooking water can also be used in the garden.
- Use a broom, not water, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
- Wash your car with a pail of water or turn the hose off between rinses.
- Where appropriate, plant drought-tolerant plants or use native species.
- Cluster together plants with similar water needs.
- Water the lawn and plants early in the morning or late at night.
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World
Water Monitoring Day (WWMD)
WWMD is an international outreach program that
builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources
around the world. Adopted by WEF in 2006, the program engages
communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams,
estuaries and other water bodies: http://www.wef.org/AboutWEF/WhatWeDo.htm
For more Water Conservation & Restoration information: http://www.nrdc.org/water/conservation/brief.asp
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