Most of all the water in the world, about 97 percent, is found in the oceans and is unusable because it is too salty; another 20 percent is locked up in the polar ice caps or too deep in the earth to reach. That leaves only 1 percent that is clean and available for all of humanity's needs, including agricultural, manufacturing, community, and personal household use. That is staggering, considering that without an adequate amount of water to drink, a person would die within three days, not to mention all the other daily requirements of water that a person has adding up to hundreds of gallons a day.
It is estimated that, by the year 2030, water will become the most sought-after commodity, with 36 states having a water shortage and four billion people (half the world's population) living in conditions of extreme water stress. Fortunately, those of us living in the Great Lakes area have the chance to protect nearly a quarter of the world's fresh water from contamination and improve water quality for all.
Water is an efficient recycler. All the water on earth today was on earth thousands of years ago, cycling from liquid to gas to solid and back to liquid again. As it moves through the cycle, water picks up pollutants that, when properly treated, do not end up in water sources used by people. This treatment includes natural systems, such as filtration through wetland soils, and artificial systems, such as wastewater treatment plants. An overabundance of contaminated water in these systems can thwart their ability to send out clean and usable water. But much can be done to avoid an overload of pollutants before water is treated, and that is where good water practices come into play.
If each person in the United States made small changes to his or her water use practices the difference would be astounding. For example, if everyone in the U.S. flushed the toilet just one fewer times per day, it would save a lake-full of water about a mile long, a mile wide, and four feet deep, every day. Each of us can help by taking a look at how we use water in our every day lives and acknowledging that, even in this region of ample fresh water, we cannot ignore problems affecting water quality and availability.
The Great Lakes contain a quarter of the world's fresh water supply and 40 percent of all North America's fresh water. People living near this great abundance of fresh water have an obligation not to overuse or pollute it. By understanding how water travels from its source to your faucet and where it goes after that is the first step in becoming a good water conservationist. Then by assessing your daily water use practices, you can see where water can be saved by only mildly altering your daily routine.
Education is the next step in being a good water conservationist. When your knowledge is passed on to others, that awareness impacts water quality. People are more careful in their water use when they see how easy it is to reduce their consumption with only small changes in behavior.
Careful water practices should also be passed down to young people through education and actions. This vastly improves the chance of having an absolutely necessary renewable resource for future generations to enjoy. As you help cleaner water move through the water cycle, lives are impacted and overall water quality improves.
If you are interested in learning more ways to conserve water in your home, one of the resources available to you is the free home assessment provided by the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program. The Home*A*Syst is an assessment tool used to evaluate your home and property for health and environmental risks caused by groundwater contamination. By focusing on the management of household trash, storm water, septic systems, yard and garden care, wells, and liquid fuel storage, you can improve your water use practices and the overall quality of the life of yourself, your community, and the environment around you. Each one of us has the choice to be a good water conservationist and help to make this world a better place to live.
For more information on the Home*A*Syst or other services provided by the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program, please contact Andrea Berry at the MSU Extension Office in Chippewa County at 906-635-6368.
All programs and services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, age, or marital status.
