You and Your Water

When the well runs dry, we know the worth of water- Ben Franklin

The most fundamental thing in life is water. Increasingly, we are appreciating how we depend on H20. Just think─ three fourths of our brain consists of this essential compound. Ironically only 1% of the world’s water is available to meet our constantly growing human needs. We drink less than 1% of our treated water while we use 99% in other ways. Most household water goes to lawns, showers, toilets, etc. In our life time, we will see a radical shift in how we must better manage this universal solvent. The sales of bottled drinking water are the beginning signs.

In many parts of the world clean water is a luxury. Our public water systems produce more than 180 gallons per day per person. An average person can survive months without food, but only days without water. We flush an average of 27 gallons per person per day of drinking water down our toilets, 17 gallons per day through our laundry and 14 gallons per day in our showers. Another tremendous use is of this valuable drinking source is watering our lawns. How can we better use, not abuse, this universal solvent? Are the demands for clean water escalating and the supply for potable water declining?

One way to understand the value of water is to observe it in our own bodies. One-half to two-thirds of the human body contains water. An average adult contains roughly 40 quarts of water and loses several quarts of water per day through normal elimination, sweating and breathing. Water helps rid the body of wastes, metabolize stored fats, and maintains muscle tone. Muscle tissue contains mostly water while fat tissue contain virtually none. Also, water contains no calories or sugar. We must begin to emulate how our bodies and the earth cycle water if we wish to maintain good health and prosperity.

As in nature, we must recycle various forms of waste back into new forms of life. One thing’s waste is another being’s food. We must protect our hydrologic balance. By observing how the intricate web of life works we can discover how to better nurture this vital, self-sustaining process and waste less water. We must venture not to just tune our muscles, but also strengthen our hearts and minds into new ways that sustain and conserve our resources for future generations. Like our ancestors, we must explore how we can best work with, not struggle against, our environment. The water cycle is vital to survival. This essential natural resource is the fluid through whence all things depends on. Increased awareness to stimulate water conservation and quality is critical to preserving our quality of life. Let’s become well aware that without clean water, our quality of life will not continue.