The average American household uses 300 gallons of water per day at home. With summer fast approaching, the time for swimming pools and sprinkler systems is almost here. Warmer months can lead to significantly higher water usage, meaning that water conservation is increasingly important! While water makes up about 71% of the Earth's surface, only 3.5% is freshwater, and only about 1% is accessible for human use. So why should you do your part to conserve this 1%? Water conservation reduces energy use and can even save your household money.
Reducing use of appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines is a great place to start. Additionally, cutting down on time showering and turning off your faucet while washing dishes or brushing your teeth can make a huge difference. Conserving water at home can also help with the bigger picture: conserving water now allows cities and regions to plan for more efficient use of their water resources in the future. The greater amount of freshwater used or wasted in an area, the less there is available for future generations to use. This leads to municipalities coming up with new ways to produce clean, fresh water, which will ultimately be at the taxpayers' expense.
For more tips about conserving water at home check out the EPA's WaterSense website.
About the Author
Maria C. Kealey, E.I.T.
Project Engineer
Maria brings fresh innovation coupled with effective communication skills to her role as a project engineer. She has been employed with Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M) since 2015 while she completed her degree in Civil Engineering and obtained a certificate in Environmental Studies at UW-Madison. Maria has been involved in a wide array of projects thus far, providing her with comprehensive knowledge of the industry. She understands the needs of clients to exceed expectations. These skills allow her to efficiently manage projects and coordinate design efforts, while maintaining timely communication with community staff and residents.
