Did you know that World Water Day is coming up on March 22? This special day is all about addressing the water and sanitation crisis across the globe, but you don’t have to think big to make change. One of the best ways to celebrate is to take a look at your own water usage.
The water crisis is about more than water waste, although according to the EPA, the average American family can waste up to 180 gallons of water per week. Another major component to the issue is access. The world is working toward a goal of everyone having access to safely-managed water and sanitation by 2030, but that date is quickly approaching.
It’s time to rethink water.
What happens without safe water?
According to the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people around the world have limited access to safe drinking water. This includes water from the ground as well as the surface. This can impact health in many ways.
- Drinking contaminated water can lead to the transmission of diseases that in other situations are easy to manage.
- Hand-carrying heavy water jugs a long distance can cause physical injury.
Not living close to a safe water supply can also impact a person’s economic situation. If you have to spend half a day walking to get fresh water, how can you hold down a job or go to school? Easy access to drinkable water can open up more opportunities for these individuals.
How do you solve the water crisis?
Addressing the water issues facing many people around the world will most likely come from a combination of supportive organizations, government agencies and the small changes we can all make in our everyday lives.
What’s most important though is education and awareness. Until we all understand what kind of water crisis we’re in, it’s hard to feel motivated to make change. World Water Day is the perfect time to learn more about how you can help at home and in your local community. It’s also a great time to see what nonprofits you could support, who are making changes right now.
Water projects you can support
Water restoration projects focus on reducing the strain on existing freshwater resources. This occurs in a variety of ways, including how water is managed and used. Some projects will even implement strategies that divert water, increasing access.
At IMPACT COLLECTIVE, brands looking to offset water usage work with The Nature Conservancy’s water projects in addition to farmers in California to address water scarcity. These water restoration projects impact people across the country.
- In the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, The Alfalfa Project is working to introduce precision farming practices to 350,000 acres of alfalfa. Currently, flood or sprinkler irrigation wastes a considerable amount of water. A subsurface drip irrigation system can save more than 300 billion gallons of water each year.
- In Central Oregon, The Deschutes River Conservancy is working to restore the water flow of the middle Deschutes River. Previously, most of the flow was diverted to support agricultural needs, but this led to a severe impact on the ecosystems around the river basin. Rethinking and rebalancing the water within the river can help ensure fish and people have plenty to use. *credits retired in 2022
- In Georgia, changes to the Flint River will help reduce groundwater withdrawal by up to 20 percent. Working collaboratively, The Nature Conservancy of Georgia and the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District are helping farmers by retrofitting existing irrigation systems with new technology. *credits retired in 2022
IMPACT’s brands are able to offset their own water usage by supporting the efforts of these innovative organizations whose goal is to conserve water on a large scale. These projects help open up access to water for people as well as animals and the natural environment. Theses are organizations you can support too.
What you can do at home
Big water projects definitely impact water supply and access, but small things you can do at home make a difference as well. It’s not just about taking faster showers and running your dishwasher only when it’s totally full. Those actions conserve water, and are helpful for sure, but there are other things you can do. For example, have you ever thought about how safe your water is once it leaves your home?
Avoid putting fats and grease down the drain
Fats, oils, and grease, also known as FOG, not only clog your pipes as they cool and harden, but once they get into the sewers, they can cause real problems. Over time, these materials combine and create soap-like compounds that turn into a concrete-like material. These back up sewers, which can lead to contaminated water flowing out of manholes and polluting groundwater, rivers, and streams.
There’s no way to know what state your sewer is in, but when you think about all the homes and restaurants that may potentially be putting FOG down their drains, can you risk adding your own into the mix?
Use safer household cleaners
You may not think about your water supply as you’re cleaning your house, but with every spray, some of that liquid ends up in the water. This happens either from it running down the drain or coming out of your cleaning rags once they’re in the washing machine.
Individually, the phosphorus, ammonia, and nitrogen that’s potentially in your cleaners aren’t in a high enough quantity to harm you, but when mixed in waterways with everyone else’s, it can create a problem. Plants can die quicker and algae can take over in lakes and ponds impacting the ability for fish to survive. If any of this water is used to make other products, we could end up ingesting it as well.
To avoid all this, use household cleaners with plant-based or organically produced ingredients. Avoid phosphates, chlorine, artificial fragrances, and artificial colors. If you’re interested, you can also make your own cleaning products out of common household items like baking powder and vinegar, so you know exactly what you’re washing down the drain.
Recycle waste water
Your plants aren’t particular about their water, as long as it’s devoid of harmful chemicals. Instead of turning on the hose or setting up a sprinkler system, consider capturing used water you can’t drink and keeping it for your garden. This can include pasta water, water you rinsed fruits and veggies off in the sink with, and even the rain itself.
Set up a rain barrel to hold on to this usable, outdoor water and save the drinking water for those who need it most.
Give water its due
Being on a mission to think and act more sustainably must include water. It needs your attention in its own special way. The small contribution you can make, by thinking about how you use water may not feel like it impacts this crisis, but if we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot. It all has an impact.