Reducing Water Use

Fresh water is a precious resource. Only a tiny amount of Earth's water is fresh and available for us to use. Reducing the water we use helps make sure there is enough for everyone, including plants and animals. There are many easy ways to save water at home and school.

Water at Home

The average American family uses about 300 gallons of water per day. Taking shorter showers is one of the easiest ways to save water. Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth saves gallons too. Fixing leaky faucets and toilets can save thousands of gallons a year.

Water Outside

Outdoor watering uses a lot of fresh water. Watering the garden in the early morning means less water evaporates in the heat. Using a rain barrel to collect rainwater from the roof gives you free water for plants. Planting drought-resistant plants means your yard needs less watering overall.

Fun Facts

• A five-minute shower uses about 10 to 20 gallons of water.
• Leaving the faucet running while brushing your teeth wastes about 4 gallons of water each time!
• It takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef.

Did You Know?

If a faucet drips once per second, it wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water in a year!