Water is one of our most precious natural resources: not only does drinking water allow us to stay hydrated and healthy, but it also gives us the ability to grow food and plants, wash our bodies and clothes, and cook meals. Thanks to advances in water filtration techniques, we are now able to enjoy cleaner, better-tasting water than ever before! We all use water every day for so many things, but tend to take it for granted-it's easy to lose sight of just how essential water is in our lives. We must make it a priority to conserve water whenever we can, so that we can be sure to avoid water shortages and keep our natural sources of water from becoming depleted. Here are some tips for conserving water that you can do every day, in order to be a friend to the Earth and protect our water supply from vanishing in the future.

Turn off faucets
It sounds almost too simple, but by just making sure to turn off the faucet in your kitchen, shower, or bathroom sink when it is not in use, you can help save gallons of water each day! People tend to turn on the tap and let the water run while washing their faces, shaving, or brushing their teeth. By breaking this bad habit and turning off the water while you brush or shave, you can save up to two gallons of wasted water each minute, according to the EPA.

Fix leaks
If your kitchen or bathroom sink has a leak that causes the faucet to drip continuously, it's more than annoying- it's bad for the environment! According to Flatirons Plumbing of Boulder, Colorado, a slow drip from a leaky faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water each day, while a constantly-running toilet can use up to 200 gallons a day. Imagine how much you could save in both water conservation and your utility bill if you simply fix leaks as they occur!

Repurpose water
Are you guilty of turning on your shower faucet and then waiting a couple minutes for it to heat up before jumping in? Don't worry, you're not alone. You don't have to switch to icy-cold showers to be a friend to Mother Nature, though- just collect the water in a bucket as it heats up and use it for something else, like watering plants in your garden. You can also do this when rinsing fruit and vegetables in a colander- rather than let it go straight down the drain, place a bowl underneath and use the water for another household chore. This way, nothing gets wasted.

When you look at all the ways you use water throughout the day, it's easy to spot a number of opportunities to conserve it. There are plenty of ways to cut back on water usage without having to sacrifice your quality of life. By taking time to help conserve water, you're doing your part in creating a happier, healthier future for us all!