Water Conservation
Facts and Tips
Facts and Tips
  • Water Conservation Facts:
    • The human body is about 75% water.
    • Every day in the United States, we drink about 110 million gallons of water.
    • Showering and bathing is one of the largest users (27%) of water domestically.
    • Less than 2% of the Earth’s water supply is fresh water.
    • The average American uses 140-170 gallons of water per day.
    • A leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons a day.
    • One flush of the toilet uses 6 1/2 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 shower takes about 20 gallons of water, around 40 gallons are used in 10 minutes.
    • 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 1/2 quarts (80 ounces) of water everyday.
    • 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. If it stays flat, it does need water.
  • Water Conservation Tips:
    • Run your dishwasher and washing machines 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.
    • 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. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
    • Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
    • Take short showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires about 36 gallons of water.
    • Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth or shaving. Get in the habit of turning off the water when it’s not being used.
    • Use of bowl of water to clean fruits & vegetables rather than running water over them. You can reuse this for your houseplants.
    • Try to do one thing each day that will result in a savings of water. Don’t worry if the saving is minimal. Every drop counts. And every person can make a difference. So tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers to “Turn it Off” and Keep it Off”.