Even though water is one of our most precious resources, it is also one of the most squandered. Why is this so? I contend that it is because with modern wells and modern plumbing our water doesn't seem so valuable. It is cheap. It is plentiful. It is safe. It is easily obtained. Unfortunately, our brains are wired to see things that don't require significant effort and resources as valueless. I think that my background (almost unknown in modern America) is part of the reason that I value water so much. Between the ages of 6 and 13, my family had no running water. Every bit of water we used either came from a hand drawn well or out of the nearby creek. When you have to carry a bucket with all the water that you drink, cook with, or wash with, you start to look at water differently. You see it as a precious thing.
While I don't advocate everyone disconnecting from their well or city water supply, everyone should have some experience supplying their own water. Try camping at a site that is distant from water. Or, if you aren't ready to "rough it" yet, at least try this experiment: Limit water usage to a single tap in the house for a few days. Carry water for your bath, for your dishes, your laundry and so on. Not only will this give you a much better idea of the huge volume of water used in most homes, it will teach you the value of every drop.
Try carrying your own water, and share the results of your experiment here.
Photo by Ganesh K through a creative commons license.
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