Right now saving energy and reducing one's carbon footprint is en vogue. UK residents are racing each other to the "green" finish line as they work to prove that they are saving more energy than their neighbours and friends. People trade energy saving tips the way they used to trade recipe, cleaning or shopping tips.

Right now saving energy and reducing one's carbon footprint is en vogue. UK residents are racing each other to the "green" finish line as they work to prove that they are saving more energy than their neighbours and friends. People trade energy saving tips the way they used to trade recipe, cleaning or shopping tips. 

With all of this focus on living a "greener" life, it should surprise you to learn that water is still being wasted in record levels. Somehow it looks like even the most energy efficient and carbon reduced residents of the United Kingdom have failed to grasp the concept of saving water as well as saving energy.

Would it surprise you to find out that the fresh water resources in the UK are expected to disappear in the next few decades? The wet climates that UK residents take for granted makes this seem impossible, but water experts insist that the fresh water resources are disappearing at a much higher rate than they previously thought. Sadly, the United Kingdom's fresh water resources are fewer and farther between than those in Syria and in the Sudan. Those are parts of the world that are known for their lack of water and dusty climates.

What makes this hard to understand is that it is very easy to not waste water. It is not hard to just turn the sink's faucets off when they are not being used. You should only use water to rinse off your toothbrush or when you need to fill your water cup. It does not need to run while the toothbrush is in your mouth or you are rinsing out your mouth. Most dishwashers have a "water saver" function built into its mechanism. 

Take shorter showers! The amount of water that even a five minute shower uses will boggle the mind. Only run full loads when you wash your clothes or use the dishwasher. Rinse vegetables in a pan of water instead of under a running faucet. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of letting the water run to get cold before you fill up your glass. Only water the yard when it needs it. Don't let sprinklers run all afternoon.

The amount of water an adult uses in one day can easily be cut down. Water is the world's most important resource and it needs to be protected. Nobody should take having fresh water for granted. Saving water is just as important as saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Cutting back water consumption is easy and is something people should work at just as diligently as they work at cutting down their energy use.