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Kids are never too young to learn about helping the Earth. And as areas of the world are ravaged with drought, conserving water is one of the best lessons to teach at a young age. Water is a precious resource, and it is valuable and limited. While most of us take for granted to luxury of our faucets and indoor plumbing, these are, very much, first world privileges.According to The Water Project, almost one billion people lack access clean water. And lack of access to water isn’t just about drinking but also sanitation. Think about how often we wash our hands each day. Without clean water, kids and adults are at risk for disease…and even death. According to the United Nations, West/Central Africa—where clean water is incredibly scarce—has an under-age five mortality rate of “191 child deaths per 1,000 births.”So what we can do at home? Kids and adults should understand that our clean water is a resource that shouldn’t be wasted. While our clean water flows freely, we can take steps to ensure that we don’t waste water unnecessarily.And conserving water is easier than most of us realize. Here are a few ways that you can help your family conserve water each day:
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Fix leaky faucets.
Sure those drips may seem inconsequential, but every drop of water adds up over time. Tighten up the plumbing and fix those leaking faucets. Not handy? Call a plumber for help!
Take shorter showers and watch the depth of baths.
Yes, a long hot shower feels fantastic and every once in a while it’s a worthwhile indulgence. But if you’re taking 30 minute showers every day, you’re dropping a lot of water down the drain (five gallons a minute!). When kids are taking a bath, make sure they don’t fill the bathtub too full. While playing in the water is fun, they don’t need a swimming pool level of water to bathe or play.
Turn of the faucet when brushing and washing hands.
When kids are brushing their teeth, have them turn off the water while they are brushing. Too often we let the water run. The same advice applies to hand washing. When lathering up hands, turn off the faucet.
Buy Reusable Water Bottles
Bottled water is wasteful on so many levels. Instead of throwing out tons of plastic bottles and buying water that you can get from your tap, invest in a few washable water bottles. Let children pick out their own colorful bottles and then fill them throughout the day.
Avoid the hose.
The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) recommends that kids (and adults) use a bucket of water and a sponge when washing cars and bikes. While using a hose is convenient, it also wastes more water (six gallons a minute per the EPA!). Instead, give your bicycle a sponge bath!Water is a limited resource, and for so many people across the globe, clean water also is a luxury. Take time to teach kids about the value of conserving water. Every drop adds up; and little changes can make a big impact! You may even notice a dent in your water bill!