Being surrounded by the Great Lakes may make it seem like we have water to spare. The average Michigander uses 79 gallons of water a day, almost twice that of what in Europe consume. In order to protect our natural supply of freshwater and prevent future water shortages, we need to make changes!
Try these small changes today:
Reuse water, instead of dumping it. Save old water from your water bottle, pets water bowls, or pasta water and use it to water plants.
Turn the water off when you're brushing your teeth and in between face rinses while washing your face.
When you're waiting for the water to warm up in the shower, don't walk away and get distracted doing something else! You can also collect the water in a bucket and use it to flush you toilets!
Take showers instead of baths! They use up to 50% less water and consider getting a low-flow shower head.
Only run the dishwasher and the washing machine when they are full.
Use cold water instead of warm water in the washing machine. It may not save water, but it can save on energy bills.
Keep a bottle of cold water in the fridge instead of running the tap for cold water. For something aesthetically pleasing, reuse an empty wine bottle.
Check out this website for more quick ideas on water conversation!
Watch this 19 min video below to learn more about the world's water crisis.
What can you do to help promote water sustainability?
Practice at-home water sustainability yourself using the tips given above and try encouraging your friends and family to do the same.
Consider how much water is used in your diet. For example, it takes 1,799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. Purchasing from local farmers can help reduce energy and water use in travel necessities of exported products. Check out this website to find out about other foods!
Consider donating to a local, regional, or global project that supports water sustainability or addresses the water crisis.
Remember, the small things do add up and can make a small impact in your local community. No one is perfect at sustainability, but we can all keep trying to do better!