Reduce Your Water Footprint

Did you know that the average American lifestyle is kept afloat by nearly 2,000 gallons of H2O a day—twice the global average?
The biggest surprise is that only 5% of that runs through toilets, taps, and garden hoses at home. Almost 95% of your water footprint is hidden in the food you eat, energy you use, products you buy, and services you rely on.
Less than 1% of all water is available for nearly 7 billion people and a variety of freshwater aquatic ecosystems. This tiny share of freshwater we have to use to meet all of our needs must be shared with the needs of millions of other species that we share the planet with as well.

What if you could help return more water to rivers, lakes, wetlands, underground aquifers, and freshwater species?
Here is a list of simple changes we could make in order to reduce our water footprint:

1.Choose outdoor landscaping appropriate for your climate. Native plants and grasses that thrive on natural rainfall only are best.
2.Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.
3.Buy a low-volume, ultra low-volume, or dual-flush model toilet.
4.Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up to 10-25 gallons a day.
5.Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full. When it’s time to replace them, buy a water- and energy-efficient model.
6.Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce.
7.Buy less stuff. Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.
8.Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy re-usable products, as it takes water to make most everything.
9.Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. Decrease a minute or two off your shower time.
10.Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, you’ll care about it.

The more we save, the more water we leave for healthy ecosystems and a sustainable future.