Why Conserve Water?
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| Only 0.5% of the water on earth is fresh water. Photo Credit: Save Planet Earth |
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| Repairing dripping taps helps conserve water. Photo Credit: Laura Jones |
Water is one of our most precious natural resources. And despite the seeming abundance of water on earth, the amount available for human use and consumption is relatively small. Only one half of one percent of the water on earth is fresh water that is available for human use and even this amount of available water fluctuates depending on weather patterns. In addition, the potential for climate change only adds to the uncertainty surrounding water availability.
Around the home, there are many ways to conserve water including fixing dripping taps, not allowing the water to run while brushing teeth, and using low-flow toilets and fixtures. Another approach, with the potential for significantly more water savings, is outdoor water conservation.
In some parts of the US, outdoor irrigation of lawns and landscapes accounts for as much as 75% of annual per capita water use. Planning and designing lawns and landscapes with lower water requirements and improving the efficiency of outdoor irrigation can help to conserve water while maintaining the beauty of our outdoor environment.
Additional Resources:
Northwest
Oregon - Water in the upper Klamath basin
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Strategic Vision
Midwest
Southeast