Water is vital for humans, plants, and animals. The fact that the Earth is 3/4 water is the reason life is able to exist here. It’s safe to say that, if we ever ran out of water, life as we know it would cease to exist. This is why it is so important to talk about water conservation.
Did you know that people in the United States are using 127 percent more water now than they did in 1950? Considering that modern appliances that run on water – like dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets – are more efficient now than they were 70 years ago, this statistic is alarming.
If that wasn’t bad enough, up to 95 percent of water entering our homes goes down the drain. 95 percent! That means that more water is being wasted than consumed.
At this rate, it is both promising and exciting that NASA was able to confirm that liquid water was found on Mars. If we keep wasting water as we are currently, we will need to migrate to Mars sooner rather than later.
In fact, a study done by Aarhus University projects that by the year 2020, 30 to 40 percent of the world will have water scarcity. That is less than two years away! A report by the United Nations states that “if current usage trends don’t change, the world will have only 60 percent of the water it needs in 2030.”
All of these facts are concerning, to say the least. But there are some things we can all do to help with water conservation.
Water Conservation Techniques
According to Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert, authors of Water: Use Less—Save More, “running the tap while brushing your teeth can waste 4 gallons of water.” One small thing you could do to conserve water is turn off the tap while you brush your teeth. Another thing you could do is take shorter showers.
Something else we recommend is replacing your old toilets with new water-efficient models. You can also look for a water-efficient dishwasher that will run on only 4 gallons of water. Older models run on almost 13 gallons of water!
The last thing to keep in mind when it comes to water conservation is leaky faucets. Did you know that a leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water each year?
If you have a leaky faucet or sink, or any other type of water leak on your property, don’t hesitate to contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. Our certified plumbers can take care of the problem for you, while helping the environment with water conservation.
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