Water Conservation: It's Sink or Swim

Thanks to Mr. Petito, my eighth-grade world geography teacher, I am well aware that three-fourths of Earth is covered in water. So what’s the big deal? Why should I make an effort to conserve water? Besides, doesn’t water replenish itself?

After speaking to some of the University of Mississippi’s environmental gurus and doing some perusing on Google, I have found that water conservation is more important than I ever imagined.First, let’s debunk the “we have an unlimited supply of water” myth. I’m not going to blame Mr. Petito, but when people paint the “our world is made of water” picture, they should consider following it up with, “however, only 3 percent of all the water is fresh water, and only 1 percent is available for drinking water.”

To make matters worse, we are using our supply of fresh water much faster than it can be naturally replenished. And with the world population on a constant increase, there are more mouths to water and less water readily available.

This means, without many of us realizing it, we are overconsuming an ESSENTIAL resource of life.

How can you help? Stop being a water hog!

Use the following tips to help out by reducing your water consumption:

-Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

-Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.

-Go by the Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and pick up a FREE shower timer courtesy of South Bank.

-Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.

-Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

-Fix dripping faucets and running toilets. You’ll save 300 gallons a month or more.

-Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.

Thirsty for more?

Come by Crosby Hall at 10:30 a.m. on Monday and see the “Capturing Storm Water: Bioswale/Rain Garden” exhibit.

Come by the Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and get advice and facts about water conservation.

Already water witty?

Come by the Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and participate in water trivia. Winners will receive free reusable water bottles.


Source: https://webmail.olemiss.edu/cgi-bin/webmail.cgi?cmd=url&xdata=~2-e54d2afc7ab5ea2d3a1cc428f64397b3f88ca4f4e19dd9c7dd00&url=http!3A!2F!2Fwww.wateruseitwisely.com!2F100-ways-to-conserve!2Findex.php