Categories: Quick Tips

Friday Quickie: Take your Water Footprint! (& Improve your habits, dammit!)

Did you know that globally 70% of water used is for agriculture?  Were you aware that 1 in 3 people worldwide are affected by water scarcity?

Although water problems may seem foreign to us, water conservation is still essential here in our hometown.  As we pointed out on our Twitter feed, yesterday (March 22) was World Water Day, which focuses on the sustainability & importance of freshwater.

Assess your household’s water usage with the Water Footprint Calculator.  It’s a fun and interactive quiz that asks you a variety of questions (I switched answers just to see their other cartoons!)  The average American uses 1190 gallons of water per day!

Readers, share with us in the comments how much water you use. How do you plan on reducing your water use? Turning off the faucet or shower? Switch to bar soap? I’ll start by confessing: I use 614 gallons/day (according to the calc) but definitely could turn off the water more while showering.

 

Pic courtesy of laist.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.

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