Water is essential for all life. You can survive without food for up to three weeks in some cases, but if you go for more than a few days without water, you will develop all sorts of physiological problems, and will eventually die. 

As human beings on this planet, especially here in the West, we often take water for granted. All we have to do is turn on the faucet, and out comes that life-giving water. 

But, many people are unaware that the amount of fresh water available on our planet is less than 3 percent. In fact, 2.5 percent of this freshwater is inaccessible, locked inside polar ice, stored within soil deposits, or deep within the Earth. 

With the rise of environmental awareness, water conservation has become a crusade of sorts across the world. Environmental advocates are continuously trying to educate others on the necessity of water conservation to ensure our species survival in the future.

A few simple ways to conserve water are as follows.

Fix Leaks

This might seem like basic common sense when it comes to conserving water, and that’s because it is. Water leaks account for a huge percentage of high water budgets, an avoidable circumstance that leads to wasted freshwater and higher water bills.

The first thing you can do is check around your home for leaks and problems with pipes, and make necessary repairs.

If you don’t know how to fix these leaks, consider hiring a plumber to come and assess your pipes. Perhaps you know someone who is looking to gain their journeyman or renew their plumbing license. An individual pursuing this profession might be able to better assist you in fixing any problems you might have. 

Regardless, seeking professional help will ensure that you fix any leaks properly.

Upgrade Hardware

Probably one of the most effective methods for doing your part in water conservation is installing hardware that aids in conservation efforts. This can be done by installing low-flow systems throughout your home at all water access points.

Some hardware solutions to consider are as follows:

• Dual Flush Toilets 
• Low Flow Toilets (or by use of a conversion kit)
• Low Flow Shower Heads
• Faucet Aerators 
• Installing an energy-saving (often smaller) Water Heater

Today, we have several hardware solutions for conserving water. Not only will installing these conversions allow you to conserve water, but they’ll also assist in lowering your monthly water bill, allowing you to save more money. 

Adjust Your Habits

Often, by modifying our own water consumption behaviors, we can greatly reduce how much water we use on a daily and yearly basis. Simply put, this is the same principle that is used for energy conservation.

As stated, many Americans simply take water access for granted. Not many of us have had to travel a long distance with water containers, spend time finding or building a water well, or have had to purify water from natural sources. 

As such, the way we use water here in the West is often wasteful, and this behavior can be easily corrected by simple measures.

Turning the faucet off when you brush your teeth is a great practice to get into the habit of doing. Additionally, taking shorter showers or avoiding watering your lawn as frequently can have a huge impact on conservation efforts, thus, allowing you to save money from water usage. 

Other water-saving efforts can be utilized as well, such as installing rain gauges to alert you to the water levels in your yard. Using a water catch or installing a rain garden to catch runoff water are also great methods to implement for water conservation. 

We’re All in This Together

As human beings, we all have to share what little freshwater that’s available on this planet. Even though our world is composed of over 70 percent water, nearly all of this water is held in the world’s oceans and is high in salinity, making it undrinkable for us. 

If we are to utilize the little freshwater that we have to the best of our ability and ensure that future generations will flourish as we have, conserving water is our only option. This becomes an obligation for each individual to take on.

Without water, there can be no life, and this should be reason enough to explore and implement our own personal conservation efforts.