Conservation of Water Resources
Water is too important to take for granted. It covers approximately three-fourths of the Earth's surface, but 97 percent of it is salty and unavailable for domestic or industrial use. Another 2 percent is locked in ice, which leaves us with less than 1 percent of all the water on Earth as freshwater for drinking. This small fraction is distributed in lakes, rivers and underground aquifers.

As the Earth's population increases, the demand for usable water also increases. Some estimates indicate that between 40 and 50 percent of the usable water in the United States is wasted. Every individual must learn to conserve water and be committed to preserving our most precious natural resource.

How Southern Nevadans use water
In Southern Nevada, residential water customers use 65 percent of the water supply. Residents use 75 to 90 percent of their water outdoors. And, of the water Southern Nevadans use outdoors, they waste one third.

In 2002, we wasted 30 billion gallons of water. That's enough water to provide 1.6 million people with drinking water for the next 50 years. It's also enough water to wash 1.2 billion loads of laundry..

To find ways to conserve water around your house, check out the Conservation House in the Library. The Southern Nevada Water Authority's Web site, snwa.com, also offers conservation tips and information.