water conservation

1. Water conservation
Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh
water as a sustainable resource to protect the water environment and to meet current and
future human demand. Population, household size and growth and affluence all affect
how much water is used. Factors such as climate change will increase pressures on
natural water resources especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation.
Goals
The goals of water conservation efforts include as follows:
• Sustainability. To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of
fresh water from an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.
• Energy conservation. Water pumping, delivery and waste water treatment
facilities consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world
over 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water management.
• Habitat conservation. Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water
habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to
build new dams and other water diversion infrastructures.
Strategies
• In implementing water conservation principles there are a number of key
activities that may be beneficial.
• Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use or wast.
• Avoiding any damage to water quality. Improving water management practices
that reduce or enhance the beneficial use of water.
Why Conserve Water?
Water conservation is a big thing, but every little bit helps, so don't think that what you
do doesn't matter. A whole lot of people doing a little bit adds up to a whole lot. We must
all make changes in our lifestyles that will change the course of our water and its quality.
Water conservation needs to be a way of life, not just something we think about once in a
while. If we all do our part in conserving Washington's water, we can make a huge
difference for the environment.
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

2. 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.
We must learn to save water now for the future. The quality of our water is very
important.
We have the same amount of water now as there was when the earth was created. This is
the water we have, and we must preserve its quality. Water is the foundation of food and
life. Next to air, water is our most precious resource. We cannot live without water.
Saving water helps to preserve our environment. It reduces the energy required to process
and deliver water, which helps in reducing pollution and in conserving fuel resources.
Saving water now means having water available in the future for recreational purposes,
too. Conserving the water we have minimizes the effects of water shortages and helps
build a better defense against future drought years. If we save water now, we are helping
to ensure a water supply adequate for future generations. Saving water saves money. $It
makes cents¢!
We must save water today so that it will be available to us in the future. We need to think
of future generations, people who will not have a sufficient supply of water unless we
become more concerned with how we use our water today. There are many things that we
can do to help preserve Washington's water. These are not things that are hard. All it takes
is a little bit of extra effort, and soon it will be second nature. Save the water, its all we've
got!
Uses of Water
We use water for many, many different things like making electricity, cleaning, cooking,
irrigating, etc. Click on this link to read more about ways that we use water.
People
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.

3. Fish and Wildlife
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.
Nature
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.
25 Ways to conserve water in home and yard
Water conservation has become an essential practice in all regions, even in areas where
water seems abundant.
Water conservation in the home...
1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks:-
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day.
Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket:-
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five
to seven gallons of water is wasted.
3. Check your toilets for leaks:-
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins
to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired
immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
4. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks:-
Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is
being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators:-
Inexpensive water-saving low-flow shower heads or restrictors are easy for the
homeowner to install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten gallons every unneeded
minute. Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse off.
"Low-flow" means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
You can easily install a ShowerStart showerhead, or add a ShowerStart converter to
existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm.
Also, all household faucets should be fit with aerators. This single best home water
conservation method is also the cheapest!
6. Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank:-
To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of
two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and
put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an

4. inexpensive tank bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per
day.
Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly. If there is
not enough water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever down too long or do
multiple flushes to get rid of waste. Two flushings at 1.4 gallons is worse than a single
2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would be to buy an adjustable toilet flapper that
allow for adjustment of their per flush use. Then the user can adjust the flush rate to the
minimum per flush setting that achieves a single good flush each time.
For new installations, consider buying "low flush" toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per
flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons.
Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model
represents a 70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30%.
7. Insulate your water pipes:-
It's easy and inexpensive to insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe
insulation. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
8. Take shorter showers:-
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then
turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of
water.
9. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush:-
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet
your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
10. Rinse your razor in the sink:-
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as
well as running water, with far less waste of water.
11. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads:-
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum
water conservation. Most makers of dishwashing soap recomend not pre-rinsing dishes
which is a big water savings.
With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5
gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the
load. Replace old clothes washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - 50% less
water and 50% less energy per load. If you're in the market for a new clothes washer,
consider buying a water-saving frontload washer.
12. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units:-
In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate properly, and also add
considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance

5. problems. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste.
13. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing:-
If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If
you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a
spray device or a panful of hot water. Dual-swivel aerators are available to make this
easier. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.
14. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables:-
Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water. Use a dual-setting
aerator.
15. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge:-
Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Store drinking
water in the fridge in a safe drinking bottle. If you are filling water bottles to bring along
on outdoor hikes, consider buying a LifeStraw personal water filter which enables users
to drink water safely from rivers or lakes or any available body of water.
Water conservation in the yard and garden...
16. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants:-
If you are planting a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn, use drought-
resistant grasses such as the new "Eco-Lawn".
Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Replace
herbaceous perennial borders with native plants. Native plants will use less water and be
more resistant to local plant diseases. Consider applying the principles of xeriscape for a
low-maintenance, drought resistant yard.
Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and help reduce runoff.
Group plants according to their watering needs.
17. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants:-
Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.
Adding 2 - 4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the
ability of the soil to retain moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline of each
plant to form a slight depression which will prevent or minimize water runoff.
For information about different mulch materials and their best use, click here.
18. Don't water the gutter:-
Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas.
Also, avoid watering on windy days.
19. Water your lawn only when it needs it:-
A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs
back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for
watering. Letting the grass grow taller (to 3") will also promote water retention in the

6. soil.
Most lawns only need about 1" of water each week. During dry spells, you can stop
watering altogether and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather
arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor. This may
result in a brown summer lawn, but it saves a lot of water.
20. Deep-soak your lawn:-
When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the
roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends
to encourage shallow root systems. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn - when it's full,
you've watered about the right amount. Visit our natural lawn care page for more
information.
21. Water during the early parts of the day; avoid watering when it's windy:-
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of
fungus. Early watering, and late watering, also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering
early in the day is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to
water when it's windy - wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.
22. Add organic matter and use efficient watering systems for shrubs, flower beds and
lawns
Adding organic material to your soil will help increase its absorption and water retention.
Areas which are already planted can be 'top dressed' with compost or organic matter.
You can greatly reduce the amount of water used for shrubs, beds and lawns by:
- the strategic placement of soaker hoses
- installing a rain barrel water catchment system
- installing a simple drip-irrigation system
Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, as this can actually diminish plant health and
cause yellowing of the leaves.
When hand watering, use a variable spray nozzle for targeted watering.
23. Don't run the hose while washing your car:-
Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing - this
simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle
when rinsing for more efficient use of water. Better yet, use a waterless car washing
system; there are several brands, such as EcoTouch, which are now on the market.
24. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
25. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings:-
Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible. But they
can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Use
hose washers at spigots and hose connections to eliminate leaks.
Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its
importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water-saving

7. methods around the home which can make a big difference.
Importance of Conservation of Water
With only 1% of water available for human consumption, doesn’t it make sense that we
should treat our water supply with more respect?
Water conservation should not be considered an option any longer. Current circumstances
require our full attention if we hope to thrive as a civilization.
If these statements sound dramatic, it is because much of the world is currently suffering
due to a lack of clean water.
Importance of Conservation of Water / Stats
Statistics around the reveal that our fresh water supply is practically nonexistent.
That is why it is so important to seek out, find and start using all the innovative water
conservation solutions and methods that are available today.
Whether you live in Australia or China or the US, it is time to wake up and take
responsiblity. It is easy to practice water conservation in the home, but there is more to be
done. Our world needs help on a commercial level as well so that our waste can be
controlled in such areas as agriculture and irrigation.
Water Conservation ideas are cropping up in exciting legislation. That’s why our
participation in the voting process is so important. Let’s act now, so our kids will have a
brighter, greener future.
Demands are increasing every year for water while resources are becoming more and
more limited. Since many individuals are unaware (or, sadly, just don’t care) that this
issue needs attention, it is up to more informed and proactive individuals and companies
to take up the slack.
A 40% increase is expected in water demand over the period of next two decades. The
increase in water demand is a contribution of various factors including growing
population, increased agricultural needs, industrial use of water and water needed for
electricity production.
The problem of water waste is severe in countries where people are using the same
inefficient methods for irrigation of agricultural land. Water needs are increasing every
year and the proven fact is that clean water is not available to 1 out of 5 people on earth.
Solutions are clearly needed.
The increased demand in water combined with the pollution of water has had many
adverse effects on the environment, growth and economy of many countries.
Importance of Conservation of Water / Consequences of Not Conserving
• Increased expenditures on pipeline development, sewage and other infrastructure to
supply the water to the households and industries
• Investment to build more dams to fulfill the water demands and increased electric

8. supply
• Huge amounts of money going out every year for recycling, cleaning and purification of
the water
• Large amounts of industrial pollutants dumped in the rivers which are responsible for
destroying and upsetting the ecosystem of the whole planet
• Rising instances of erosion of land because of increased demand of agricultural land
and irrigation
Importance of Conservation of Water / Australia
In some parts of world like Australia (known for it extremely dry terrain) rainfall is much
less frequent than is nedded to make up for water.This situation accounts for the amount
of salt increasing in the underground water tables, turning regions into deserts.
Importance of Conservation of Water / The Rest of the World
The problem of water is local as well as global. The resources of water on earth are
limited and are reducing every year. Due to the effects of global warming the frequency
of rain has become unpredictable.
In some parts of world there is rain throughout the year, while in other parts individuals
are suffering the consequences. Widespread dry spells are occurring over much of Europe
and Asia, Canada, western and southern Africa, and eastern Australia.
And in parts of the world where rainwater is available, major problems are still prevalent
because of a lack of proper systems to clean the water.
Pollutants like oil, cigarette butts and other impurities make the percentage of usable
water practically nonexistent
Importance of Conservation of Water / The Future
The United Nations has predicted that by the next two decades there will be 17% more
demand of water compared to resources available.
The unpleasant fact is that the most people remain careless and do not recognize the
importance of water conservation. Huge campaigns are conducted every year by many
government organizations and NGOs to spread awareness of the importance of water
conservation.
As citizens of this planet it is our individual responsibility to take an active role in water
conservation. The simple tasks we perform every day like gardening, tending to laundry,
washing our cars, etc. are opportunities for us to make a difference. Change begins with
us, and if we lead by example, others are more likely to follow.
I sincerely believe the consciousness of the planet is changing. And even though some
statistics may appear grim, other stats reveal a growing awareness. There has actually
been a decrease of water consumption in some areas due to more water efficient toilets
and appliances. And this is due to companies meeting the demands of the public.
Water conservation Facts & Tips

9. • Less than 2% of the Earth’s water supply is fresh water.
• Of all the earth's water, 97% is salt water found in oceans and seas.
• Only 1% of the earth's water is available for drinking water.
• Two percent is frozen. The human body is about 75% water.
• A person can survive about a month without food, but only 5 to 7 days without
water.
• Every day in the United States, we drink about 110 million gallons of water.
• Landscaping accounts for about half the water Californians use at home.
• Showers account for another 18 percent, while toilets use about 20 percent.
Showering and bathing are the largest indoor uses (27%) of water domestically.
• The average American uses 140-170 gallons of water per day.
• If every household in America had a faucet that dripped once each second, 928
million gallons of water a day would leak away.
• There are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot of water.
• Therefore, 2000 cubic feet of water is 14,960 gallons.
• An acre foot of water is about 326,000 gallons. One-half acre foot is enough to
meet the needs of a typical family for a year.
• There are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot of water. It takes 3.3 acre feet of water to
grow enough food for an average family for a year. A leaky faucet can waste 100
gallons a day.
• One flush of the toilet uses 6 ½ gallons of water. An average bath requires 37
gallons of water.
• An average family of four uses 881 gallons of water per week just by flushing the
toilet
• The average 5-minute shower takes 15-25 gallons of water--around 40 gallons are
used in 10 minutes.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• A full bathtub requires about 36 gallons of water.
• You use about 5 gallons of water if you leave the water running while brushing
your teeth.
• If you water your grass and trees more heavily, but less often, this saves water and
builds stronger roots.
• Each person needs to drink about 2 ½quarts (80 ounces) of water every day.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. If you step on the grass and it springs back
up when you move, it doesn’t need water.

10. • If it stays flat, it does need water. Run your dishwasher and washing machine only
when they are full.
• When washing a car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off
nozzle for rinsing.
• Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as
watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.
• Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly
rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
• An automatic dishwasher uses 9 to 12 gallons of water while hand washing dishes
can use up to 20 gallons.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time
you want a cool glass of water.
• Water lawns during the early morning hours, or evening when temperatures and
wind speed are the lowest.
• This reduces losses from evaporation.
• Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk.
• Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.
Social solutions
Water conservation programs are typically initiated at the local level, by either municipal
water utilities or regional governments. Common strategies include public outreach
campaigns, tiered water rates (charging progressively higher prices as water use
increases), or restrictions on outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car washing.
Cities in dry climates often require or encourage the installation of xeriscaping or natural
landscaping in new homes to reduce outdoor water usage.
One fundamental conservation goal is universal metering. The prevalence of residential
water metering varies significantly worldwide. Recent studies have estimated that water
supplies are metered in less than 30% of UK households, and about 61% of urban
Canadian homes (as of 2001). Although individual water meters have often been
considered impractical in homes with private wells or in multifamily buildings, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency estimates that metering alone can reduce consumption
by 20 to 40 percent. In addition to raising consumer awareness of their water use,
metering is also an important way to identify and localize water leakage. Water metering
would benefit society in the long run it is proven that water metering increases the
efficiency of the entire water system, as well as help unnecessary expenses for
individuals for years to come. One would be unable to waste water unless they are willing
to pay the extra charges, this way the water department would be able to monitor water

11. usage by public, domestic and manufacturing services.
Some researchers have suggested that water conservation efforts should be primarily
directed at farmers, in light of the fact that crop irrigation accounts for 70% of the world's
fresh water use.The agricultural sector of most countries is important both economically
and politically, and water subsidies are common. Conservation advocates have urged
removal of all subsidies to force farmers to grow more water-efficient crops and adopt
less wasteful irrigation techniques.
New technology poses a few new options for consumers, features such and full flush and
half flush when using a toilet are trying to make a difference in water consumption and
waste. Also available in our modern world is shower heads that help reduce wasting
water, old shower heads are said to use 5-10 gallons per minute. All new fixtures
available are said to use 2.5 gallons per minute and offer equal water coverage.