Did you know only 1 percent of the total water resources on earth are available for human use? It's a fact, according the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Water Saving Technology

Mike Brent is the water resource manager for the Cascade Water Alliance, a Puget Sound-based agency that provides water to almost 400,000 residences and 22,000 businesses. Brent says families can conserve water by changing habits and taking advantage of water saving technology.

“Water efficiency can be categorized by behavioral measures and hardware measures. Behavioral measures are the steps we take to minimize wasting water, such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, making sure to run full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washer, fixing leaks right away, and watering the lawn or plants just enough to keep them healthy and not watering the pavement," explains Brent.

"Hardware measures are things like replacing old, water wasting fixtures and appliances with high efficiency models, such as WaterSense-labeled toilets, faucets and showerheads, Energy Star-labeled clothes washers and dishwashers, and weather-based sprinkler controllers.” 

You can find water and energy efficient hardware and appliances at Fisher's Maytag Home Appliances, Best Buy and Lowe's, just to name a few. 

Don't Just Dump It Down the Drain

Annie Kolb-Nelson of the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County, WA says parents can teach children to protect water quality by being mindful of what should not go down our drains. The agency has compiled a list of what shouldn’t go down the drain, which includes unused medication, grease, cleaning wipes and harmful chemicals. Kolb-Nelson says teach your children early that “toilets are not trash cans.”

“Everything we put down our sinks and toilets goes to a treatment plant, and eventually, our local waterways. While the treatment process is extremely effective, it doesn’t remove all the chemicals from our cleaners, soaps and personal products. By making an effort to use simpler products, it can add up to a big difference without costing much money—people can easily make their own cleaners and care products at home with a few simple, inexpensive ingredients.”  You can purchase environmentally friendly cleaning products at Lowe's and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Simple Tips

Tips provided by her agency on how to conserve water include to use commercial car washes, install drip irrigation, fix leaks, use compost, choose low-flow toilets, collect water in rain barrels to irrigate, install low flow shower heads and minimize garbage disposal use. You can purchase a rain barrel in your area from Lowe's.

Get Your Kids Inspired

Mike Brent says there are fun ways for families to learn about water conservation together. “Explain to children that water is an indispensible, life-giving resource that should always be treasured. Get children involved in gardening and practice natural yard care techniques. Start a vegetable garden and give children a section of the garden to manage. Have children carry water in a watering can.”

Being outside in nature together, says Brent, is an ideal water conservation classroom for families. “Take walks in the rain and observe the water cycle in action. Find favorite hiking spots along rivers and lakes.  Teach children to be quiet and patient near the water, and you’ll observe many animals. Visit streams and hatcheries in the fall to see the salmon runs.” There are several .

Local Resources

The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District has resources to help your family start conserving more water this year and protecting water quality. Prince William Master Gardners can share tips on how to start gardening with your kids this summer.