Why do we need to save water?

97.5% of the world’s water is locked in seas and oceans, too salty for human use. And most of the
remaining 2.5% is in the ice caps.

So we humans depend on the tiny bit available as fresh water – an essential natural resource for life.

But we don't just use water for drinking. We wash in it, clean with it, and use it to produce everything
from clothing to food. Crop production – including feed for livestock and biofuels – is putting a great
strain on fresh water supplies.

Save water, save our planet

Our water comes from rivers, lakes and sources like the Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire (pictured).

Climate chaos is one of the biggest drivers of water shortages and is expected to heap even more
pressure on our depleting supplies. People in England are facing shortages by 2050 unless we save water
fast – according to the UK Environment Agency.

1. Turn off the taps

Don't let your water consumption run out of control. Save 6 litres of water a minute by turning off your
tap while you brush your teeth. Fix leaky taps  too – and stop what could be 60 litres of water going
straight down the drain every week.
2. Boil what you need

Save water, money and energy by only boiling as many cups of water as you need.
3. Shower with less

Every minute you spend in a power shower uses up to 17 litres of water . Set a timer on your phone to
keep your showers short, sweet and water-saving.

Switching to an efficient shower head will allow you to lather up in less water, which means you'll save
water and cut your bills.

4. Save up your dirty clothes

Washing a full machine load of clothes uses less water and energy than 2 half-loads . This means lower
bills as well.

6. Quality and seasonal eating

Rearing animals for meat and dairy and harvesting crops like avocado at a large and unsustainable scale
is incredibly water-intensive. By cutting down on meat and dairy and eating seasonal vegetables you'll
be helping to conserve water.

You'll also be helping to protect the climate. The meat and dairy industries are big contributors to global
warming.
5. Get a low-flush toilet

The average UK household flushes the loo 5,000 times per year . Modern dual-flush systems save huge
amounts of water. They use just 6 litres – or 4 with a reduced flush – much less than the 13 litres for
each old-style single flush.

If you can't invest in a new loo, get a water-saving bag for your old-style toilet .

7. Steam your veggies

Steam your food  to cut water usage and retain more of the natural nutrients.

If you do boil, try using the leftover water as a tasty stock for soups. Or let it cool and use it to water
plants.

8. Reduce food waste

It takes a lot of water to produce our cereal, fruit and other food.

More than half of the 7 million tonnes of food and drink UK households bin every year could be eaten.
Wasting less food could save you £540 a year .

Get some handy advice from Love Food Hate Waste , or get inspired by these high-tech solutions to food
waste  from around the world.

9. Time your gardening

Water outdoor plants in the early morning or at the end of the day to stop water immediately
evaporating in sunlight and heat. Water the soil so that the liquid goes straight to the roots, where it’s
needed.

In a heatwave, animals need water too. Instead of watering your lawn, leave out a water-filled
container, like a casserole dish, for birds to drink from and wash. Thirsty bees and other insects will need
a saucer or bowl with water and stones in it.

Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main
constituent of Earth's hydrosphere, and the fluids of most living organisms. It is vital for all known forms
of life, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients. Its chemical formula is H2O, meaning
that each of its molecules contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms, connected by covalent bonds.
Water is the name of the liquid state of H2O at standard ambient temperature and pressure. It forms
precipitation in the form of rain and aerosols in the form of fog. Clouds are formed from suspended
droplets of water and ice, its solid state. When finely divided, crystalline ice may precipitate in the form
of snow. The gaseous state of water is steam or water vapor. Water moves continually through the
water cycle of evaporation, transpiration (evapotranspiration), condensation, precipitation, and runoff,
usually reaching the sea.
Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, mostly in seas and oceans.[1] Small portions of water occur as
groundwater (1.7%), in the glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland (1.7%), and in the air as
vapor, clouds (formed of ice and liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation (0.001%).[2][3]

Water plays an important role in the world economy. Approximately 70% of the freshwater used by
humans goes to agriculture.[4] Fishing in salt and fresh water bodies is a major source of food for many
parts of the world. Much of long-distance trade of commodities (such as oil and natural gas) and
manufactured products is transported by boats through seas, rivers, lakes, and canals. Large quantities
of water, ice, and steam are used for cooling and heating, in industry and homes. Water is an excellent
solvent for a wide variety of substances both mineral and organic; as such it is widely used in industrial
processes, and in cooking and washing. Water, ice and snow are also central to many sports and other
forms of entertainment, such as swimming, pleasure boating, boat racing, surfing, sport fishing, diving,
ice skating and skiing.

Stones are hollowed out by the constant dropping of water. ~ Ovid