H2O Conserve is a nonprofit program promoting water conservation and supply protection through a web-based water calculator that estimates individual water footprints. It highlights both direct and indirect water uses, including vital statistics on different sources of water consumption, and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in water conservation efforts. The program also provides educational tools aimed at raising awareness about water use and encourages proactive behaviors for sustainable water management.

1. H 2 O Conserve’s Web-based Water Calculator Conserve Water, Protect Life

2. What is H 2 O Conserve? a developing nonprofit program promoting a community-based approach to water conservation and water supply protection

3. H 2 O Conserve’s Mission H2O Conserve encourages people to conserve and protect water as a vital natural resource by raising awareness about water use and threats to the water supply through educational tools including a web-based water calculator.

4. Water Footprint Calculator Web-based tool that gives you an estimate of the total amount of water you use, otherwise called your water footprint . H 2 O Conserve currently focuses its calculations on water use in the United States.

5. Direct Water Use Water seen flowing from the fixture down the drain Shower : Regular = 3.8 gallons/min.; Low-flow = 2.3 g/m Toilet : Regular = 6 gallons/flush; 1.3 g/f Faucet : Regular = 5 g/m; Low-flow = 1.5 g/m

6. Direct Water Use (cont.) Another activity that uses a tremendous amount of direct water: lawn & garden watering It takes 330 gallons of water to irrigate a 1,000 sq. foot tract of land with ½ inch of water.

7. Virtual Water (Indirect Water Use) You may not drink, feel or see this water, but it makes up the great majority of your water footprint. The Calculator takes into account not only the water used in your home, but also the water used to produce the food you eat and the products you buy.

8. Virtual Water (Indirect Water use) Your water footprint includes other factors, such as water used to cool power plants that provide your electricity, and water saved when you recycle.

9. Indirect Water Use (cont.) Water is used for cooling purposes at thermoelectric power plants (e.g., coal fired and nuclear) Water-Energy nexus for thermoelectricity production Sustainable energy production like solar, wind, and geothermal use virtually no water.

10. Indirect Water Use (cont.) Not only is water used directly to wash a car ( 150 g/wash), But water is also necessary to produce automobile gasoline indirectly (i.e., debris flush during drilling, oil refining, machinery cooling).

11. Indirect Water Use (cont.) A person’s diet is generally the greatest water use component in his or her life Avg. Am. (3-5 servings meat/day) = 1,052 gallons/day Vegetarian = 516 g/d Vegan = 446 g/d

12. Breakdown of Water Use in USA Thermoelectric power : 48% Irrigation : 34% Public Supply : 11% Industry : 5% Domestic (self-supplied): Less than 1% Mining : Less than 1% Livestock, Aquaculture : Less than 1% Source: USGS; Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000

13. If our home water use is relatively small, why conserve? (Virtual) Water is contained in almost everything we use and buy, so we use more water than it seems. By being conservative with water, we become more water conscious in our own lives. This can lead to a Conservation Ethic in society (local to global)

14. If our home water use is relatively small, why conserve? (cont.) Helps to build a Water Constituency that is concerned about water issues in the U.S. and the world and one that cares about how water is used and where it flows. Water Constituents can show the need for water conservation as both a common good for society, the natural environment, and business. In this way citizens can consider and collectively decide who has rights to water and how that water is used and distributed water in a responsible manner.

15. Where to begin? Building a Water Constituency Find out the water quality of your local supply; check water quality report Get interested in decisions made by your water authority; Where is your water going? Is the water use sensible? Lobby local, state, and national officials to make water a priority and its use wise and efficient. Educate people, especially children, on the severity of water issues. Educational Curriculum, geared towards students from Kindergarten through High School, will be launched on the H 2 O Conserve website this Fall.

16. Conclusion: Starting at Home After taking the water calculator assessment, your water footprint and series of water conservation tips are given. Your individual and household water use is calculated and tips specific to your water use habits offered with the option for them to be emailed. A “Tips” section also exists.