Water is precious. Every drop of water we use, or waste, continues through the water cycle. It ends up getting used by someone (or something) else. How do we make sure there is enough clean, fresh water to share with all living things? We can use water more wisely.
These are some simple things that you can do to help protect fresh water and the living things that depend on it.
Post this list on a refrigerator or bulletin board as a reminder of what you can do to save water.
I could do this or I am doing this.
Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
It takes a lot of energy to produce and ship bottled water. And most plastic bottles are not recycled. Besides, most tap water is just as safe and clean! If you want to carry water with you, get a reusable bottle and fill it with tap water.
Turn off faucets
When you're brushing your teeth or washing your hands or dishes, keep the water off until it's time to rinse.
Take shorter showers.
Cutting your daily shower time by just one minute can save 3,000 liters (800 gallons) of water a year!
Reuse and recycle water.
Use a bucket to collect water while you're rinsing vegetables or waiting for the shower to warm up. Then use it to water your plants or for cleaning.
Do full loads of laundry and dishes.
Less loads mean more water saved. If you need to do small loads, adjust the water setting so less water and energy are used.
Fix leaks.
Ask your parents to fix dripping faucets or running toilets. Leaks are the biggest water waster. Thirty drips per minute wastes 9.1 liters (2.4 gallons) of water each day!
Cool off with spray bottles or super soakers.
On a hot summer day, play with spray bottles or super soakers instead of using sprinklers. Using a sprinkler for a half an hour takes 270 liters (70 gallons) of water. If you really want to play with the hose or sprinklers, do it on a dry part of the lawn.
Sweep, not wash, your driveway and sidewalks.
Instead of using a hose, pick up a broom!
Don't pour grease or chemicals down the drains.
They can pollute rivers and harm wildlife. Pour grease (like bacon fat) into an empty container and put it in the garbage can. Try saving unused chemicals, like paints, for another art project. Or, ask your parents to contact your local sanitation department about how to safely dispose chemicals.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Not only are they good for you, they help conserve water too! It takes a lot more water and energy to produce animal products (like meat and dairy) and processed foods (like fruit juice, soda, candies, and chips) than to grow fruits and vegetables.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
It takes water and energy to produce everything that we buy —from cotton t-shirts to video games. Reduce by buying only what you need. Reuse by using second hand goods when possible.
And donate or recycle everything that you can.
These are some simple things that you can do to help protect fresh water and the living things that depend on it.
Post this list on a refrigerator or bulletin board as a reminder of what you can do to save water.
I could do this or I am doing this.
Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
It takes a lot of energy to produce and ship bottled water. And most plastic bottles are not recycled. Besides, most tap water is just as safe and clean! If you want to carry water with you, get a reusable bottle and fill it with tap water.
Turn off faucets
When you're brushing your teeth or washing your hands or dishes, keep the water off until it's time to rinse.
Take shorter showers.
Cutting your daily shower time by just one minute can save 3,000 liters (800 gallons) of water a year!
Reuse and recycle water.
Use a bucket to collect water while you're rinsing vegetables or waiting for the shower to warm up. Then use it to water your plants or for cleaning.
Do full loads of laundry and dishes.
Less loads mean more water saved. If you need to do small loads, adjust the water setting so less water and energy are used.
Fix leaks.
Ask your parents to fix dripping faucets or running toilets. Leaks are the biggest water waster. Thirty drips per minute wastes 9.1 liters (2.4 gallons) of water each day!
Cool off with spray bottles or super soakers.
On a hot summer day, play with spray bottles or super soakers instead of using sprinklers. Using a sprinkler for a half an hour takes 270 liters (70 gallons) of water. If you really want to play with the hose or sprinklers, do it on a dry part of the lawn.
Sweep, not wash, your driveway and sidewalks.
Instead of using a hose, pick up a broom!
Don't pour grease or chemicals down the drains.
They can pollute rivers and harm wildlife. Pour grease (like bacon fat) into an empty container and put it in the garbage can. Try saving unused chemicals, like paints, for another art project. Or, ask your parents to contact your local sanitation department about how to safely dispose chemicals.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Not only are they good for you, they help conserve water too! It takes a lot more water and energy to produce animal products (like meat and dairy) and processed foods (like fruit juice, soda, candies, and chips) than to grow fruits and vegetables.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
It takes water and energy to produce everything that we buy —from cotton t-shirts to video games. Reduce by buying only what you need. Reuse by using second hand goods when possible.
And donate or recycle everything that you can.
