Fresh water constitutes only 3% of all the water on earth. As warming intensifies and with many areas suffering from severe droughts and desertification, water conservation is more important than ever. Even Texas—long a bastion of conservatism—is establishing strict water conservation measures in response to the decades-long drought affecting many western states.  Think about this in the context of how much water Americans consume. On average, individuals in Africa use five gallons of water per day. In America, individuals consume 176. The wars of the 21st century will be fought over water rather than oil.

What you can do to preserve this precious resource:
•    Don’t let the tap run! Instead, while you wash your hands, brush your teeth, shave, wash dishes, or even shower, turn the water on to wet what’s necessary and then shut it off. Lather without running the water, and then turn it on again just when it is needed.
•    Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are fully loaded.
•    If possible, install a dual-flush toilet and a water-conserving shower head.
•    Convert your water-gulping turf grass to a native plant garden which can thrive in drought conditions while lowering your landscaping and water bills.
•    If you keep your lawn, water in the morning or evening when there is less evaporation.
•    Use a broom to sweep your garage and paved outdoor areas, instead of hosing them off.
•    There are ethical and health reasons you might consider using less meat. In addition, Mother Nature News explains it takes more than 23 gallons of water to produce a slice of wheat bread with a slice of cheese, whereas more than 1,300 gallons are needed to produce a 12 oz. steak.
•    Fix leaks. Leaky toilets, faucets, and showers all waste water. This tip conserves water and saves additional repair costs in the long run.
•    Replace old appliances with energy efficient ones. A new Energy Star washer saves electricity and uses 35 percent less water per load.
•    Take shorter showers or, if you shower for more than 4 minutes on average, consider switching to a bath. To see what works for you click here.
•    Buy fewer new clothes. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a single pair of blue jeans. Do you really need that new pair?
•    Conscientiously recycle. Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees and 7000 gallons of water.
Don’t be a water hog. It will save you money and help save planet earth for us all.