Water Conservation

Water is one of the most important things on Earth. People, animals, and plants all need water to live. But clean water is not always easy to get. That is why we must save water every day. Saving water is called water conservation. When we conserve water, we help our planet stay healthy.

Why We Need to Save Water

Most of the water on Earth is salty ocean water. Only a small part is fresh water that we can drink. We use fresh water to drink, cook, wash, and grow food. If we waste water, there may not be enough for everyone. Saving water also helps fish, birds, and other animals that live in rivers and lakes.

Tiny drips of water feed plants slowly so nothing is wasted.
Tiny drips of water feed plants slowly so nothing is wasted. (Jeff Vanuga, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service / Wikimedia Commons)

Easy Ways to Save Water

There are many simple ways to save water at home. You can turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers instead of long baths. Tell a grown-up if you see a leaky faucet. You can also water plants in the morning so less water dries up in the sun. Every drop counts!

Fun Facts

  • A dripping tap can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water in one year.
  • It takes about 37 gallons of water to grow enough beans for one cup of coffee.
  • Taking a short shower uses much less water than filling up a bathtub.

Did You Know?

Less than 1 percent of all the water on Earth can be used by people for drinking, cooking, and washing.