The global water supply is a finite resource facing increasing strain from population growth, shifting weather patterns, and pollution. Preserving this resource is a shared responsibility requiring both individual behavioral changes and collective support for systemic improvements. Focusing on actionable steps allows individuals to contribute directly to the sustainability of water systems, ensuring a reliable supply for current and future generations.
Reducing Direct Water Consumption at Home
Individuals can make immediate and measurable reductions in their direct water use by updating fixtures and adjusting daily routines. Toilets account for nearly 30% of indoor water use; replacing an older model with a high-efficiency unit can reduce water per flush from seven gallons to 1.28 gallons or less. Switching to a low-flow showerhead, which flows at about 1.5 gallons per minute, can cut consumption by over 40% compared to standard models while maintaining pressure.
Simple changes in habit also yield significant savings, such as turning off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving, and ensuring washing machines and dishwashers run only when full. Outdoors, up to 50% of residential water is used in summer. The practice of xeriscaping, or low-water landscaping, can save approximately 50% of water used for irrigation by using drought-tolerant native plants and water-efficient methods like drip irrigation.
Understanding and Reducing the Water Footprint of Goods
The indirect water used to produce food and consumer goods, known as “virtual water,” often represents a much larger footprint than direct consumption. Consumer choices, particularly related to diet, profoundly impact large-scale water consumption in agriculture. For example, producing one kilogram of beef requires an average of over 15,000 liters of water.
Reducing the consumption of water-intensive products significantly lowers one’s overall water footprint. While meat is the largest contributor, certain plant-based foods also have high virtual water costs, especially those grown in water-scarce regions. A kilogram of nuts, such as almonds, can require between 5,000 and 10,000 liters of water. Choosing foods lower on the water-intensity scale, like fruits and vegetables, which require less than 1,000 liters per kilogram, is an effective strategy.
Community-Level Water Management and Infrastructure
Preserving water requires supporting large-scale municipal and technological solutions that address systemic inefficiencies. A significant challenge is the massive water loss from aging infrastructure; in the U.S., an estimated 14% to 18% of treated water is lost across the supply system, with some municipal systems losing 50% to 80%. Supporting investment in replacing and repairing old pipes prevents the loss of trillions of gallons annually.
Community support is vital for adopting water reuse programs, such as recycling wastewater and greywater for non-potable uses like landscaping and industrial cooling. Effective stormwater management is also necessary to reduce runoff and increase groundwater recharge. Techniques like green infrastructure, including rain gardens and permeable pavements, allow stormwater to filter into the ground rather than overwhelming drainage systems.
Protecting Water Sources from Pollution and Degradation
Maintaining the quality of natural water sources like rivers, lakes, and aquifers is equally important as reducing consumption. Contamination from nonpoint sources, particularly agricultural runoff, is the leading source of impairment in U.S. rivers and lakes. Individuals can help by reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides on their property, preventing excess nutrients and chemicals from entering local waterways.
Proper disposal of household chemicals and pharmaceuticals prevents them from entering the water treatment cycle, which is often not equipped to remove such pollutants. Supporting the protection and restoration of natural filtration systems, such as wetlands and forests, is also an effective preservation strategy. Wetlands remove sediments and process excess nutrients, often at a lower cost than upgrading traditional wastewater treatment facilities.