Why do we need to conserve water and how?

From a very young age, we are told in school and at home, by our teachers and our parents, that we need to save water. We use water in our everyday life at home, school, in the office and outdoors for maintaining hygiene, cooking, cleaning, drinking, running errands, entertainment, etc. About 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. So, really, what’s the big deal if we let the tap run for a little too long while we brush our teeth? Plenty of people waste a lot of water while washing their cars, playing around with garden hoses, while bathing or brushing, in the kitchen, etc. and we seem to have an abundance of it, so why not? 

Reasons to save water 
Most of the water available around us, in seas and oceans, is salt water. The water we can consume, however, is freshwater. Freshwater comes from sources like ponds, lakes, rivers, groundwater, streams, rainfall, ice caps and ice sheets. This means, only 2.5% of all that blue is consumable. Therefore, all the seas and oceans that surround us are pretty much useless. If we keep using water with no restraint, soon enough, all the rivers and ponds will run dry and there will be nothing left to sustain our future generations. 

Moreover, it’s not just about humans—animals, insects, and birds all need fresh water to live. The drying out of rivers and lakes will affect their complete ecological system. 

How can we save water? 
There are different ways we can reduce wastage of water: 

• Storing rainwater: The water storage facilities at homes, tanks and underground storage units, can be used to save rainwater. This process is called rainwater harvesting, an excellent idea for storage.  
• Checking water supply lines for leakage: If there are leakages in the pipes that supply water to our homes, even a gradual drip can waste a lot of water that could be put to good use. Regularly checking for leaks is important. 
• Conserving water: Most of the times, we pour ourselves a full glass of water even though we only drink half of it and throw the rest away. Avoid such practices. 
• Saving water in the bathroom: Take a quick shower instead of a long leisurely bath. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth. These small steps can make a big difference. 
• Washing the car with a bucket and pail: Not nearly as much water is needed in washing a car as is used when using a hose pipe. Instead, use a bucket of water to minimize the consumption of a precious natural resource.