Lessons from Abroad: Water Usage

It’s fairly well known that, per capita, Americans are the largest consumers on the planet. And while that might sound great for a business demographic, it’s not so good for natural resource management.
Much of the world population sees us as being extraordinarily wasteful when it comes to water consumption. We live in a society where water is plentiful, so we don’t think much about using it. Or over-using it.
But other societies aren’t as lucky as us. Some lack the easy access and level of sanitation we are accustomed to. Others take a more serious view of the impending water shortage. Whether through government mandates, social expectation, or simply good manners, people in many countries are highly conscientious of the amount of water they use.
In order to conserve their precious water, they use a few simple tricks in their daily lives:
1. Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth. We’ve all heard this before, but how about taking it one step further,
2. Don’t let the faucet run while taking a shower. It’s common in other cultures to get in the shower, rinse, turn the water off while soaping up, then turn it on again to rinse off. I had to go to a foreign country to learn this trick, and yet it’s so simple and logical.
3. Don’t let the faucet run while doing dishes. This applies to those of us who either don’t own or choose not to use a dishwasher. If you’re in the market for a dishwasher or washing machine, look into the ‘water saver’ varieties that are now being made (examples are Energy Star and Smart House).
Can you find the common theme in these water saving tips? Just turning off the faucet when we’re not actually using the water stream not only conserves water, but will help you cut down on your water bill, too.
And, of course,
4. Flush the toilet only ‘as needed’. You can determine what ‘as needed’ means to you.
Each flush sends an estimated 5-7 gallons of water down the tubes. 5-7 gallons! Having trouble picturing it? Next time you’re at the grocery store, line up five gallons of milk side by side. Now think about what that does to your water bill each time you reach for the toilet handle.
As good global citizens, we should consider adopting these practices into our day to day routines. Whether you’re motivated by preserving the environment, saving money, or both, the positive impact on the earth is the same.