EARTH MAY SEEM DRENCHED IN WATER, BUT ONLY 2.5% OF IT IS FRESHWATER.
97% IS SALTWATER IN OCEANS, VITAL FOR MARINE LIFE, BUT NOT DRINKABLE.
MOST FRESHWATER IS LOCKED AWAY:
1.7% in glaciers and ice caps
0.5% buried deep underground
THAT LEAVES JUST 0.05% OF OUR GLOBAL SUPPLY AVAILABLE FOR DIRECT HUMAN USE.
To put it in perspective, this would form a sphere with a diameter only twice the size of Manhattan… barely a drop when you consider the needs of nearly 8 billion people.
OF THAT 0.05% RESERVED FOR HUMAN USE:
70% supports agriculture and livestock
20% goes to industry
9% is lost to waste
Less than 1% is used for drinking, and not equally
THE GLOBAL WATER CRISIS
1 in 4 people lack access to safe drinking water and this number is expected to rise by 2050.
Pollution, agricultural runoff, plastic waste, and climate change are making water scarcity worse.
DITCH SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
PLASTIC WASTE LINGERS FOR CENTURIES AND OFTEN ENDS UP IN OUR OCEANS, HARMING MARINE LIFE AND CONTAMINATING WATER SOURCES.
Carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup daily
Keep a zero-waste kit with cutlery, straws, and bags in your car or backpack
Shop at bulk stores and choose items in compostable or recyclable packaging
Say no to plastic-wrapped produce and opt for unpackaged or bring your own produce bags
EAT MORE MINDFULLY
THE AVERAGE BURGER TAKES OVER 600 GALLONS OF WATER TO PRODUCE. OUR DIETS HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON GLOBAL WATER USE.
Participate in Meatless Mondays (or more!)
Prioritize whole, local, and seasonal foods
Cut back on food waste, every uneaten meal is wasted water
Choose brands that practice regenerative agriculture or have low water impact certification
FIX LEAKS AND DRIPS
SMALL LEAKS ADD UP FAST, WASTING NOT JUST WATER, BUT ALSO ENERGY USED TO TREAT AND HEAT THAT WATER.
Do a monthly leak check around faucets, toilets, and hoses
Add dye tablets or food coloring to your toilet tank, if color seeps into the bowl, you have a silent leak
Install smart leak detectors or water-saving plumbing fixtures
USE WATER-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
OLD TOILETS, DISHWASHERS, AND WASHING MACHINES CAN USE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE WATER OF EFFICIENT ONES.
Replace older toilets with dual-flush or low-flow models
Install aerators on faucets and low-flow showerheads
Wait until dishwashers and washing machines are fully loaded before running
Choose cold water washes to save both water and energy
AVOID HARMFUL LAWN CHEMICALS
FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE RUNOFF CONTRIBUTES TO TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS AND DEAD ZONES IN LAKES AND RIVERS.
Use natural lawn care methods like compost, mulch, and clover lawns
Plant native or drought-resistant plants that need less water and care
Create a rain garden to filter runoff naturally
Avoid spraying chemicals before rainfall, which accelerates runoff
RETHINK PACKAGING AND PRODUCTS
EVERYTHING WE BUY HAS A WATER FOOTPRINT, FROM PLASTIC PACKAGING TO SYNTHETIC CLOTHING.
Buy concentrated or refillable products (like cleaning supplies or shampoo)
Choose clothes made from natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp
Support brands that use compostable, reusable, or recycled packaging
Shop secondhand to save both water and energy
JOIN OR SUPPORT CONSERVATION EFFORTS
REAL IMPACT HAPPENS WHEN COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER. RESTORATION EFFORTS PROTECT ECOSYSTEMS AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER.
Volunteer with local clean-up crews or tree planting programs
Support groups like Cool Climate Club or others that protect rivers, forests, and water systems
Host a fundraiser or awareness event in your community or workplace
Advocate for local green infrastructure projects in your city
TALK ABOUT IT
WATER CONSERVATION STARTS WITH AWARENESS AND CONVERSATIONS INSPIRE CHANGE.
Share water facts or tips on social media stories, posts, or reels
Host a water challenge among friends or coworkers, track your water use and savings
Present these tips at your school, office, or community group
Encourage businesses you support to adopt water-friendly practices