Of all the water on Earth, only 2% is classified as freshwater. Out of that 2%, half is frozen. The increase of urbanization and resulting lifestyle changes have humans using, and wasting, more water than ever before.
The Importance of World Water Day
The amount of freshwater is growing ever more scarce. Over-consumption and the lack of usage regulations are quickly depleting the amount of water that will be available for future generations. This problem has led to what is known as the “water crisis”; a name for the lack of healthy or sufficient water sources. There are several factors that have led to this crisis.
The agricultural water crisis is due to extreme amounts of water being used for crop irrigation and the production of factory-farmed meat. In North America, and around the world, people rely heavily on water-reliant crops such as rice, corn, wheat, and cotton. Irrigation for crops is estimated to account for up to 70% of all water usage, and the production of meat requires much more water than the growth of vegetation.
Effects of the water crisis on aquatic ecosystems are dire. Since these environments rely on a healthy - and often copious - water supply, any disturbance of the delicate chemical levels can cause these natural balances to become unregulated.
Conserving Water Every Day
Although the discussions that will take place leading up to World Water Day are important and necessary, conserving water must be an objective every day. There are several small, easy changes that can be turned into water-conserving habits, such as:
- Turning off the faucet when brushing teeth.Opting for quick showers instead of baths.
- Washing vehicles using a bucket rather than a hose.
- Washing laundry using the correct settings, and only when the washer can be fully loaded.
- Water-Saving Plumbing Technology
With the necessity for reducing water consumption drastically becoming inevitable, individuals can take action in their home or business to conserve as much water as possible. Advancements in plumbing technology have allowed for the production of water-efficient hardware, including the following:
- Low-flow shower heads (also known as energy efficient shower heads).
- Low-flush toilets.
- Dual-flush toilets, equipped with two levers to choose amount of water used with each flush.
- Faucet aerators, which act to break up the flow of water into minuscule particles, effectively providing the same amount of moisture, while using less water.
- Garden hose nozzles.
- Automatic (timed) faucets.
Celebrate World Water Day in Salt Lake City, UT with the plumbing experts at Valley Plumbing by installing water-efficient plumbing technology throughout your home or place of business. Contact (801)-405-9334 to speak with a professional today.
