Clean water is definitely something we take for granted in this country, but the clock is ticking on our water supply. Cleaning our soiled water is a process that consumes huge amounts of energy which releases a significant amount of carbon into the atmosphere. There are many simple things we can do to conserve water, especially in areas that have water shortages.

Many people don't realize this, but your toilet uses more water than anything else in your home. A normal toilet uses about 7 gallons of water every time you flush. A modern dual flush toilet has separate buttons for small and large flushes. A small flush only uses .9 gallons of water compared to 7 gallons on older models. They are more expensive but you'll save money on your water bills.

Turning off the water while you brush your teeth is another simple way to conserve water.

Installing low flow showerheads conserve water when you shower. Most showerheads use twice the water needed for a thorough shower. Every day, 3 billion gallons of water flow through showerheads in the United States, half of it unnecessarily. The toll this excess takes on one of our most precious resources, clean water, is a blow to both the environment and your pocketbook.

Be environmentally conscious when you water your lawn. Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation. When you water your lawn during the day, most of that water evaporates and never makes it into the root system. Keep your grass long too, at least 1.5 inches. This shades the soil and keeps it from drying out.

Try and collect rain water by placing a bucket under your downspout when it rains. You can use this water in your garden or for your lawn. Even more, consider installing a rainwater harvesting system called a cistern. A cistern collects rain water for use in toilets and faucets. A simple water purification system on your cistern can easily clean that water for drinking and showering.

Wash your car with a bucket of water, not a hose. Hosing you car off for 20 minutes wastes a lot of water and doesn't do as good of a job as using a sponge and a bucket.

THE FACTS

A normal toilet uses about 7 gallons of water every time you flush. A modern dual flush toilet has separate buttons for small and large flushes. A small flush only uses .9 gallons of water compared to 7 gallons on older models.