March 22: Reasons we Celebrate World Water Day

Water scarcity is a problem that has plagued the globe for generations, but as the world’s population increases, so do water needs.

To underscore the importance of water conservation and active reduction of our water footprint, the UN has established an annual day of recognition: World Water Day on March 22. It is a day to discuss the water crisis and to collectively seek solutions.

Hard Facts Around World Water Day

According to the Water Project, 783 million people around the world don’t have access to fresh water, most of who live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these areas are rural and rugged, with people having to travel for hours each day simply to collect water to live.

This impacts not only health, but economic opportunities too. It is estimated that in Sub-Saharan Africa, 40 billion hours a year are spent on water collection. Most of the time this task falls to women, which means that girls drop out of school at a young age, stopping their education; this keeps the poverty cycle going.

The World Economic Forum named water scarcity the highest global economic risk because of the possible devastation associated with lack of clean water and sanitation.

What Can I Do?

You can make a real impact simply by changing your water use habits at home. For starters, turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, washing your hands or shaving. Rinse your razor in the sink in a little water, rather than leaving the tap go. Don’t take baths. Opt for short showers instead. If you have kids and must use the bathtub, don’t fill it very full and put the plug in as soon as you turn the water on.

Don’t wash towels every day. Don’t do laundry unless it is a full load. Don’t use the permanent press cycle.

Put a sink strainer in your kitchen to catch debris, which will cause blockage and make you run more water. Don’t use the garbage disposal, but compost your food scraps instead. Steam rather than boil food, and be sure to use the appropriately sized pot. Only water your lawn if you have to.

Don’t wash your car at home as it uses a lot of water; if you have a pool, cover it to save from water evaporation. Make sure your irrigation system is on a timer. Use a watering can rather than a hose to water your garden.

Remember to Check For Leaks

Plumbing leaks can account for nearly 11 trillion gallons of wasted water in the United States annually, according to the EPA. What’s more is that the average homeowner can expect to save up to 10 percent on their water bills, simply by getting leaks fixed as soon as they appear.

To check if you have leaks, read your water meter before water use and then about 2 hours after you turn it off. If there is little or no change, you’ve got a leak.
To detect a toilet leak, pop a dye pill in the toilet tank. Don’t flush and wait about 10 minutes. If the colored water has dispersed through the bowl, you have a leak that needs fixing.

We can handle all your plumbing needs, big or small. Call us today for service in Dallas, TX at (972)-247-3763.