Why preserve water?

Question

I understand why consuming less energy positively affects the environment, but if you live in an area where water is very abundant, what benefit does it serve to use less of it (besides maybe less energy to pump, et cetera)? We don't really ship excess water to arid regions do we? It is recycled right?

I don't understand what NYC's water shortage has to do with this question. The question is in regards to regions with an abundant supply. Its clear why it would be necessary to conserver in a region that does not have an abundant supply. It requires no explanation.

I don't understand what

"Largely because governments couldn't be bothered paying to build desalination plants. "

has to to do with the question.

Answer 1

Practically speaking, conserving water makes sense for the following reasons. Conserving water conserves energy - gas, electric or both. Conserving water can reduce our monthly water and sewer bills now. Finally, conserving water can postpone the construction of or eliminate the need to build expensive capital projects such as wastewater or water treatment plants that will need future maintenance. Most of us have come to realize that efficient management of our natural resources is a necessity if we are to ensure an adequate supply of water for our future needs.


97% of the earth's water is in our oceans and 2% is trapped in icecaps and glaciers. This leaves about 1% of the earth's water available for human consumption. It's easy to understand, then, that our domestic water supply is a manufactured product whose raw material is limited. Environmental and financial restrictions also limit the supply available at any given time. This means that our water supply has to go a long way towards satisfying all the competing interests: residential - including drinking and sanitation, manufacturing, environmental, agricultural, and recreational.


Moderate to severe drought conditions are a fact of life in more than half the nation, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Many areas face serious regional water shortages
because water is being used faster than it can be replenished naturally. Some utilities, and local and state governments have declared mandatory water conservation measures, even for private well owners.

Water conservation can help well owners secure their drinking water supply, save money and protect the environment. Don’t wait until a prolonged drought creates a water emergency. Consider measures today to preserve your water supply far into the future.

AVERAGE INDOOR WATER USE – NO CONSERVATION MEASURES
69.3 Gallons Per Person Per Day
26.7 percent Toilets (18.5 gallons)
21.7 percent Clothes Washer (15 gallons)
16.8 percent Showers (11.6 gallons)
15.7 percent Faucets (10.9 gallons)
13.7 percent Leaks (9.5 gallons)
2.2 percent Other Domestic Uses (1.6 gallons)
1.7 percent Baths (1.2 gallons)
1.4 percent Dishwasher (1 gallon)
Source: Adapted from Residential End Uses of Water.
Copyright © 1999, American Water Works Association and AWWA Research Foundation.

Answer 2

The prime source of pure water is rainfall throughout the globe. The global rainfall is a constant entity [i.e100cm annual]. However the temporal and spatial variation of rainfall is huge and it leads to drought or flooding in different area in different time. Moreover Pure water can not be manufactured in factories in a more economic way. Anticipating drought one has to preserve water for the future. There are historical evidence that human races have migrated from drought prone areas to water abundant regions, because of the poor water management or the worst drought beyond human control. There won't be life on this planet without WATER. Hence the fundamental- basic- water management is preserving water.

Answer 3

Because if we over use the water now it won't be very abundant in the future. And since every living thing needs water that might cause some problems don't you think?

Answer 4

water is something that is recyclable, but will not be good if we keep using it soooo much. If we keep purifiing and stuff, eventually water will go away. And then I'll have to sit in my tape dispenser without any water.

Answer 5

yes actually i live right by Lake Michigan and we pump a LOT of water around to places that have none. Water can be recycled, but not all of it. If it becomes heavily contaminated, there's no choice but to get rid of it.

Answer 6

Largely because governments couldn't be bothered paying to build desalination plants.

Answer 7

NYC HAS THE BIGGEST WATER SUPPL
BUT NYC HAS ABOUT 12 MILLION PEOPLE.
SO WHY CONSERVE?
THE WATER SUPPLY WE HAVE IS GOOD ENOUGH
FOR TAKING A BATH
THATS IT!
WE NEED MORE.
BEST

Answer 8

the better word is "conserve" water.

Answer 9

Because we need it