Why Save Water?

 

    *    Water is a finite resource - even though about 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered
         by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use.
    *    Forty out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions in
         some portion of their states over the next decade.
    *    Each American uses an average of 100 gallons of water a day at home.
    *    We can all use 30 percent less water by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
    *    The average household spends as much as $500 per year on their water and sewer bill
         and can save about $170 per year by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
    *    Approximately 5 to 10 percent of American homes have water leaks that drip away 90
         gallons a day or more! 
    *    If one in every 10 homes in the United States were to install WaterSense labeled faucets
         or toilets in their bathrooms, it could save 6 billion to 640 billion gallons of water per year!
 

A Click Away to Conserving Water

There are many resources out there available to anyone interested in educating themselves on Water Conservation. Here are a few to get you started in the right direction.      
       
1.  EPA Watersense - Save water and protect the environment by choosing WaterSense labeled
     products in your home, yard, and business and taking simple steps to save water each
     day. Learn more about WaterSense and what you can do to help make every drop count. 
     Think you know everything there is to know about water? You can't be sure until you Test 
     Your WaterSense! Use their Test Your Water Sense Tool. 
     
     Leaks Can Run, but They Can't Hide Are you ready to chase down leaks? Household leaks can
     waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so each year we hunt down   
     the drips during Fix a Leak Week. Mark your calendars for EPA's annual Fix a Leak Week, 
     —but remember that you can find and fix leaks inside and outside your home to save valuable 
     water and money all year long.

3.  The Alliance for Water Efficiency - Promoting the Efficient and the Sustainable Use of Water
     and for all those interested in the latest happenings in water conservation. Want to conserve
     water? Not sure where to start? Their Water Calculator quickly estimates how much water
     your household uses and compares it to a similar average and a highly efficient home. Use
     their water use calculator to see how much water you use.

 4.  Met Council - Water Conservation Tool Box - The Twin Cities is growing and the demand for
     water continues to increase. There is enough water in the short-term, but long-term 
     projections predict potentially significant impacts to aquifers if water continues to be consumed
     at current rates.  There is hope. Residents, businesses, water suppliers, and elected officials
     can all learn to use water more efficiently to ensure we have enough water in the future. Learn
     more about water issues in the news, the sources of water in each community, ideas for water
     conservation, and more.  Learn why water conservation is so important!

 5.  MN DNR - Water is our most precious resource; however, it is often taken for granted.
     Although Minnesota appears to have a more than adequate supply of water, increasing 
     demand from domestic, agricultural, and industrial water users can strain water resources and
     municipal water supply systems, especially during periods of drought.  Water conservation can
     reduce the demand placed upon ground and surface water sources and municipal water supply
     systems. Conservation can save water users money by reducing water bills, or reducing
     electrical consumption and maintenance costs for private well owners. Municipalities can 
     reduce water and sewage treatment costs and delay or eliminate expensive infrastructure
     improvements by encouraging customers to reduce water consumption. 

6.  Seal Your Abandoned Well - Minnesota Law states that unused wells must:

• Have a maintenance permit with a $175 annual fee
• Be SEALED to protect groundwater - the drinking water source for most of Minnesota. Property owners are liable for contamination from unsealed wells.