Quick Answer:
Water conservation is the reduction in use of water through a variety of methods. Most households waste water through inefficient plumbing, leaks, clothes washing machines, and over watering the landscape.
It is estimated that about 30% of total household water use is outdoors. Of that 30%, 40 to 70% is used to irrigate the landscape; a staggering 9 billion gallons of water used per day.
Conserving water will:
- Reduce pollution of water bodies and aquifers
- Increase energy savings by reducing use of electricity to pump water
- Increase monetary savings by reducing the water bill
- Create more efficient use of water resources
- Reduce the need for future water rationing
Additional Resources:
Water Sense: An EPA Partnership Program
Why Conserve Water
West
Colorado – Water Conservation in and around the Home
Utah – Home (Indoor) Water Conservation
Midwest
Missouri – Water-efficient Gardening and Landscaping
Northeast
Massachusetts – Efficient Outdoor Watering
Southeast
Florida – Home Irrigation and Landscape Combinations for Water Conservation in Florida
South Carolina – Water Smart Landscaping
Arkansas – Water Conservation: Tips for Landscaping