Water Conservation: Fighting Pollution, One Drop At A Time

Conserving water is essential for protecting our local water quality and preventing pollution. By reducing our daily water usage, we can lower the amount of wastewater that requires treatment and support the proper functioning of waste treatment systems. This, in turn, helps to maintain the health of our coastal ecosystems and keeps our beaches, waves, and oceans clean. Implementing water-saving practices at home, such as fixing leaky plumbing, using water-efficient appliances, and adopting sustainable landscaping techniques, not only reduces water waste but also contributes to energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, by conserving water, we can safeguard clean water sources, such as rivers and streams, which provide drinking water for millions of people and support thriving communities, fish, and wildlife.

Does conserving water help pollution?

Water conservation at home

Conserving water at home is an important step in protecting local water quality and preventing pollution. Here are some ways to conserve water at home:

In the Garden

• Direct your rain gutters and downspouts into your landscape to use rainwater as your first source of irrigation.
• If you use a rain barrel, make sure the overflow goes into the landscape and not onto a driveway or storm drain.
• Apply compost and mulch to your garden to help build healthy soil that can absorb and hold rainwater for your plants.
• Install a drip-irrigation water system for valuable plants.
• Use drought-tolerant plants, grasses, shrubs and trees for landscaping and reduce grass-covered areas.
• Cut your grass at least three inches high to shade the roots, making it more drought-tolerant.
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them down.
• Water your garden in the evening or very early morning to minimize evaporation.
• If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce evaporation when it's not in use.

In the Home

• Install WaterSense-labelled faucet aerators, showerheads and toilets.
• Turn off the tap while you shave or brush your teeth.
• Take shorter showers and limit baths.
• Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load of clothes or dishes.
• Wash clothes with warm or cold water and rinse with cold water.
• Hang your washing out to dry.
• Fix any leaky plumbing.

Outdoors

Wash your car less often, and when you do, use a bucket of soapy water or go to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Water-saving products

Conserving water helps to protect local water quality and prevent pollution from reaching the ocean. By reducing our water usage, we can cut down on the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated, supporting the proper functioning of waste treatment systems.

WaterSense Labeled Products

WaterSense is a US EPA program that offers an easy way to identify water-efficient products. WaterSense-labeled products, such as faucet aerators, showerheads, and toilets, use at least 20% less water than standard models while delivering equal or superior performance. These products are independently certified and meet EPA specifications. By installing WaterSense-labeled products, an average family can save thousands of gallons of water and electricity per year, resulting in significant savings on water bills.

Low-Flow Showerheads and Shower Timers

Low-flow showerheads are designed to deliver good performance while using less water. They have efficient flow rates of around 1.5 gallons per minute, helping to save thousands of gallons of water per year. Combining low-flow showerheads with shower timers can assist in keeping showers under 5 minutes, further reducing water usage.

Water-Efficient Toilets

Toilets are a major source of water use inside homes. Replacing old toilets with water-efficient models, such as those bearing the WaterSense label, can significantly reduce water consumption. WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons or less per flush, and a family of four can save up to 16,000 gallons of water per year by adopting these efficient toilets.

Water-Efficient Clothes Washers

Clothes washers are the second-largest water users in homes. ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers use significantly less energy and water than older models. When choosing a new washer, look for models with a low water factor, indicating lower water usage. These water-saving washers not only reduce water consumption but also lower your energy bills.

Water-Wise Gardening and Irrigation Practices

Outdoor water usage can contribute to water waste and pollution through runoff and evaporation. Water-wise gardening practices, such as using drought-tolerant plants, porous pavement, and efficient irrigation systems, can help reduce water usage and prevent pollution. The Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Gardens program promotes landscapes that absorb rainwater, reduce runoff, and filter pollution. Applying compost and mulch to gardens helps build healthy soil that can retain rainwater for plant use.

Protecting local water quality

Actions to Protect Local Water Quality

Individuals can play a crucial role in protecting local water quality. Here are some simple yet effective actions recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other organisations:

• Reducing water usage: This helps to lessen the strain on waste treatment systems and prevent overloading, which can lead to better water quality downstream.
• Fixing leaky plumbing: A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day, so fixing any plumbing issues is crucial for conserving water.
• Upgrading old toilets and washing machines: Older toilets use more water per flush, and older washing machines are less water-efficient. Upgrading to WaterSense-labelled models can significantly reduce water consumption.
• Using water-saving appliances and fixtures: Installing WaterSense-labelled faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and drought-tolerant landscaping can further reduce water usage.
• Properly maintaining septic systems: Septic systems should be regularly inspected and pumped to prevent the release of bacteria, viruses, and chemicals into local water sources.
• Limiting fertiliser use: Excess fertiliser can contribute to water pollution, so it is important to use it sparingly and consider alternative options like compost and mulch.
• Avoiding washing cars at home: Washing cars at home can generate runoff that carries pollutants into storm drains. Opting for a car wash that recycles water or using a bucket of soapy water instead of a hose can reduce this impact.
• Using porous pavement: Porous materials like gravel allow rainwater to recharge groundwater supplies instead of running off and contributing to erosion.
• Directing rainwater to landscapes: Rain gutters and downspouts can be directed towards landscapes or gardens to utilise rainwater for irrigation and reduce runoff.
• Reducing irrigation: Overwatering can lead to excess irrigation running into streets, picking up pollution, and eventually making its way into oceans. Adjusting irrigation controllers monthly can help ensure plants receive only the water they need.

Community and Government Efforts

• Community education and collaboration: Working together within a community can amplify water protection efforts. Educating neighbours about the impacts of their actions on local water sources is crucial.
• Addressing wastewater treatment issues: Properly functioning wastewater treatment systems are essential. Upgrading ageing infrastructure and addressing issues like sewage overflow can help protect water quality.
• Watershed restoration: The EPA has undertaken large-scale watershed restoration projects to protect aquatic ecosystems and wetlands, and they continue to support projects financially.
• Reducing polluted runoff: Programmes like the Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Gardens initiative help communities create landscapes that absorb rainwater and reduce polluted runoff, benefiting local water quality.

Climate change impacts

Water and climate change are inextricably linked. Climate change impacts the water cycle and influences when, where, and how much precipitation falls. It also leads to more severe weather events over time.

• Rising Sea Levels: Today's sea level is about 20 cm higher than in 1900, and this is due to the increased melting of glaciers. In 2023, glaciers lost more than 600 gigatons of water, the largest mass loss in the last five decades. Rising sea levels can contaminate land and water resources with saltwater or faecal matter, damaging water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Droughts: Climate change exacerbates water scarcity, with about two billion people worldwide lacking access to safe drinking water. As temperatures rise, more water evaporates, leading to higher levels of atmospheric water vapour and more frequent, heavy rains. However, this increased evaporation can also result in more intense droughts in certain regions, impacting agriculture and water availability for both humans and ecosystems.
• Floods: The combination of increased atmospheric water vapour and unpredictable rainfall patterns leads to more frequent and severe flooding. Flooding, similar to rising sea levels, can contaminate water resources and damage water infrastructure, including wells, wastewater treatment facilities, and sanitation systems.
• Water Pollution: Extreme weather events and rising temperatures contribute to water pollution. Flooding can spread contaminants, including faecal matter, into water bodies, while droughts can increase the concentration of pollutants in water sources as there is less water to dilute them. Climate change also exacerbates the problem of algal blooms. Warmer temperatures and nutrient runoff from farming encourage the growth of algae, which can produce toxins harmful to humans and aquatic life, impacting water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
• Snow and Snowmelt: In the Northern Hemisphere, warmer temperatures result in less snowfall, impacting water availability in local reservoirs during the growing season. This affects farmers who rely on this water for irrigation, and it also contributes to changes in the timing and volume of snowmelt, which can alter the natural flow of rivers and impact water-dependent ecosystems.
• Groundwater Pollution and Scarcity: Groundwater, an important water source in many regions, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Overuse and pollution of groundwater can deplete this finite resource, and climate change intensifies these issues. As climate change leads to more frequent and severe droughts, groundwater sources may be further depleted, and the intrusion of saltwater or contaminants during flooding can compromise groundwater quality.

Energy conservation

Conserving water helps to protect local water quality and prevent pollution from reaching the ocean. By reducing the amount of water sent down the drain, we can cut down on the total amount of wastewater that needs to be treated, supporting the proper functioning of waste treatment systems.

• Turning off lights and appliances when not in use
• Using smart power strips to cut down on 'phantom load'
• Replacing old appliances with energy-efficient alternatives
• Using renewable energy sources
• Adjusting the thermostat on water heaters
• Using a bucket of soapy water to wash the car instead of running the hose
• Using drought-tolerant plants and grasses for landscaping
• Installing WaterSense-labelled faucet aerators and showerheads

These measures can help to lower energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the demand on the earth's natural resources.

Frequently asked questions