My everyday water decisions

A useful starting point in the exploration of water impacts is the concept of the water footprint. Much like the now-familiar carbon footprint, a water footprint tells us how much water is consumed and altered (through water quality impacts) over the lifetime of a product. To produce a single cup of coffee, for example, coffee beans must be grown, harvested, processed, and transported – all these activities require water and produce wastewater that requires assimilation. In fact, The Water Footprint Network estimates the water footprint of coffee is 130 liters per cup ! Like with coffee, when you dig into the story behind everyday products and activities, it becomes clear that we can have a significant impact on water.

This short multiple choice quiz that encourages users to consider their everyday water usage and how their choices impact water quality and quantity. The goal of this quiz is to educate users on water conservation and stewardship, and presents alternatives to user’s water consumption choices. Users can also explore the technical report accompanying the quiz, which explains how their inputs are translated into a final water stewardship score.

An important facet of the water footprint is the distinction between global and local water impacts. When you pour yourself a cup of coffee, you aren’t seeing the 130 liters of water go into the cup along with it, because coffee’s water footprint is spread across the globe. Most of the products we consume come from around the world, and the water used to bring us these products is likewise sourced from locations around the world. However, we can also have a local water footprint. The water you use for showering or watering your lawn, for example, comes from the watershed(s) in which you live. Your local water footprint may feel more tangible, but it is important to consider both global and local water consumption.

The water footprint concept is a helpful way to understand how your daily activities can use water. However, the impact that we can have on water is not restricted only to the quantity of water consumed in the production and transportation of goods and assimilation of associated pollutants. Indeed, our impacts to water quality are also important to consider; not only do animals and plants depend on high quality water, but humans do as well, for drinking, cultivating crops, producing goods, and operating our industrial processes.

But the story doesn’t end with you and your actions. It is true that, as an individual, you have an impact on global and local water quantity and quality; however, the impact of each decision is amplified by every person who makes the same choices as you. Known as the cumulative effect of water decisions, it is important to consider how decisions, either water-conscious or not, can add up to produce significant consequences for global and local watersheds. For example, imagine you cut back your coffee intake to reduce your global water footprint. By cutting out one coffee on Saturdays, you are saving about 6,760 liters each year. While this is a great step to take as an individual, what if 500 people did the same thing? Or one thousand? If one thousand people reduced their coffee intake by one cup per week, that would save the equivalent of almost three Olympic sized swimming pools worth of fresh water, each year – and this is only one thousand people and one cup of coffee! When you account for cumulative effects, the positive impact that we can have as individuals with our routine choices can be staggering.

So, how are you doing?

A quiz that looks at your every day water decisions has been designed to highlight the individual and cumulative impacts that our everyday choices can have on water quantity and quality, by taking users through a series of routine decisions and giving them an overall water stewardship score. By completing the Quiz, you will have a chance to understand how their daily activities can impact water quality and quantity, and learn about opportunities to reduce these water impacts.

To accompany the Quiz, a technical report has been completed to explore the purpose behind each question in the Quiz, explain how their inputs are translated into a final water stewardship score, and highlight key opportunities for users to reduce their water impact.

Taking the Quiz and reading the accompanying report are great first steps to learn more about our water impacts, but these are only a starting point! There are many online resources available where you can learn more about water stewardship and water in general. There are also communities and organizations you can join online and in person to learn more, share the message, and take positive actions to improve our water resources. With the Quiz as inspiration, we encourage you to seek out ways to become a better water steward!

Did you know?

You should consider installing low flow toilets in your home – you can save money on your water bill and conserve water by saving 60% less water per flush – that’s almost 16,300 liters of water per year.
You should consider installing low flow shower heads in your home – you can save money on your water bill and conserve water by saving 60% less water per shower.
Taking baths can consume even more water than a 15 minute shower. A typical bath tub takes 151 liters to fill.
All plastics, including containers, packaging, and bags, require water to produce. Consider using reusable bags and containers instead of plastic bags and saran wrap to save even more water.
A properly set up and operated drip irrigation system can save significant volumes of water; however, if a drip irrigation system is not used correctly, it can use as much water as a typical irrigation system. Be sure to install things correctly if you want to use drip irrigation.
Not all meats are created equal – a serving of beef requires almost three times as much water as a serving of pork, and almost four times as much as a serving of chicken. Consider substituting alternatives (including non-meat based) in place of beef to save more water.
Not all organizations place the same value on water stewardship – consider reviewing an organization’s environmental policies before investing or participating with them. Better yet – get in touch with someone there to let them know water is important to you and it should be important to them.
Household leaks can come from a variety of sources. Be sure to check your faucets (including bathtubs/showers), water heater, and toilets, and consider hiring a professional to check buried and hidden plumbing.
Not only does driving consume water through the use of gasoline, but vehicles can also have a local water quality impact as well, thanks to grease and oils which get left behind on the roads and washed into our sewer systems. Using alternative transportation methods can help protect both water quality and quantity.
Some personal products, such as body scrubs and face washes, can contain micro-beads. These small plastic bits are extremely harmful for the environment, and are too small to be removed during wastewater treatment processes. Consider buying products without micro-beads to help improve your local water quality.
Cooking oils and grease can solidify in plumbing and cause blockages and damage. In extreme cases, oils and fats can contribute to blockages in the sewer system that are several meters long, or larger.
Storm sewers on city streets typically transport water directly to natural water bodies without treatment. Consider using professional car washing services, which use less water, recycle water, and send wastewater for treatment prior to disposal, instead of washing your car at home.
It is in violation of the bylaws of some Albertan municipalities (e.g. Calgary) to use anything besides water to wash your car at home.
It can take lots of water to produce the electricity and natural gas required to light and heat your home. Consider turning off the lights when you leave the room or using a smart thermostat to turn down the heat when you’re not home to save even more water.
Spirits, wine, beer, and pop all consume water during production. Consider reducing your intake to save even more water.
Producing and transporting clothes consumes a lot of water. Next time you need a wardrobe refresh, consider donating or selling your old clothes instead of throwing them away.
Governmental policies at the municipal, provincial, and federal level can have an impact on water quality and quantity. Consider asking your representatives about their stance on water issues to learn more.

Tips for conserving water

Conserve: Holding back, for water’s sake

Did you know wasting water is also a waste of energy and resources?

When we all make an effort and minimize wasteful water habits our lakes and rivers can benefit, and so can your wallet!

The following information suggests ways to conserve water and what can be done to reduce your footprint. Conserving water starts with you, and every drop counts!

Bathroom

Fill a gallon plastic bottle with water and place it in your toilet tank. (The part in the back!) It will take up the same space as the water usually does, but in a year, it will keep 5,000 gallons of water from going down the drain.
Don’t let the tap run while brushing your teeth. Try rinsing the brush with short bursts of water!
Take shorter showers. Make it a game. Keep an egg timer in the bathroom and see who can get their shower down to three minutes.
When running a bath plug the tub before you start.
Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
When washing your hands stop the water while you lather.
Fix all dripping faucets and pipes. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water per day.
Install water-saving shower head. In addition to the water it saves, it also saves the fuel that would have been used to heat up the extra hot water.

Kitchen

Eat food that has a smaller water footprint. A simple way to do this is to add a “Meatless Mondays” or “Raw Food Fridays” to your calendar.
Rinse dishes in the basin instead of running water over each dish and piece of cutlery.
While waiting for tap water to get hot, catch it in a jug or bucket to use for watering plants.
Boiling vegetables? You can reuse that water to make some nutritious soup.
If you like to drink cold water keep a jug of water in the fridge so you don’t run your tap to get the right temperature.
Run your garbage disposal on alternate days (which saves up to 25 gallons/week).
Never use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
If you have a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load. (Saves 30 gallons/week).
Scrape food scraps off dishes into the garbage or rinse them off with very short blasts of hot water. (Saves 60 gallons/week).
Instead of running water to rinse vegetables and fruits, fill a sink or a pan to rinse. (Saves 30 gallons/week).

Outside

Re-route the gutter so it gives the water to thirsty plants below.
Set lawn mower blades one notch higher as longer grass reduces evaporation. Use chunks of bark, peat moss, or gravel to cover bare ground in gardens and around trees. (Saves 200 gallons or more/week).
If you have a pool, use a cover to cut down evaporation. This will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals. (Saves 250 gallons/week).
Take your car to a car wash that recycles its wash water. If car washing is permitted on your property, use a bucket of water and sponge to wash your car. Rinse quickly at the end. Never allow the hose to run continuously. (Saves 150 gallons/week).
Water your lawn and garden early in the morning or after the sun sets when there’s less evaporation. Adjust your sprinklers so they don’t spray on the sidewalks, driveway or street. (Saves 250 gallons/week).

Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
When your pet needs a wash, wash them on the grass.
Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining.
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car or bike.
Make a rain barrel and use the collected rain water on plants, the garden or bird bath.
Do you live next to a water source? Living By Water has a number of tips on how to avoid erosion and keep your property healthy.
If you and your family like to play in the sprinklers in the summertime, do so only when you’re going to water the lawn anyway! Better yet, fill up a wading pool to cool off instead and use the water on the garden or to wash the car afterwards.

My Everyday Water Decisions

In a typical day, how often do you think about water? From showering to eating lunch, and getting around town, nearly everything we do impacts the water around us and around the globe. The My Everyday Water Decisions Quiz explores the relationship between water and our everyday lives. Awareness of water consumption patterns, can inform thoughtful use of water resources.

Answer each question based on your personal daily habits, and be prepared to reconsider some of your habits!

1 / 10

1. Do you have a low flow toilet? If you don't know or are unsure, select "No”

Yes

2 / 10

2. When you shower, do you…?

Use a normal flow showerhead, and limit showers to five minutes or less?

Use a normal flow showerhead, and shower for longer than five minutes?

Use a low flow showerhead, and limit showers to five minutes or less?

Use a low flow showerhead, but shower for longer than five minutes?

3 / 10

3. In an average week, how often do you consume bottled water (assume 500mL bottles)?

Every other day

Once or twice a week

Never

Every day

More than one bottle per day

4 / 10

4. Do you have a rain barrel, bio swale, rain garden, or any other Low Impact Development (LID) on your property?

Yes

5 / 10

5. How would you water your lawn or garden, assuming there was no rain that week?

I don't have a lawn or garden.

I water it once per week or less, using traditional (sprinkler/hose) irrigation.

I have a lawn or garden that doesn't need to be watered.

I water it once per week or less, using drip irrigation.

I water it twice per week or more, using drip irrigation.

I water it twice per week or more, using traditional (sprinkler/hose) irrigation.

Diets are culturally relative and regionally informed, reflecting traditions, environments, and resources of different communities. Understanding and respecting different diets meanwhile striving for sustainable lifestyles is key to promoting balance between culture and the environment.

6 / 10

6. How often do you eat meat?

Daily

As little as I can

2 meals per day

Once per week

5 times per week

Household leaks can come from a variety of sources. Be sure to check your faucets (including bathtubs/showers), water heater, and toilets.

7 / 10

7. How often do you (or your landlord/the homeowners) check your household plumbing (toilets, faucets, piping) for leaks?

I don't know, never

Every 2 years

Once per year

Twice per year or more

8 / 10

8. How do you wash your dishes?

I wash dishes by hand, but I do my best to minimize water use.

I have a dishwasher that is not Energy Star.

I have an Energy Star dishwasher.

I wash dishes by hand, and leave the tap on between rinses.

9 / 10

9. What are your driving habits?

I have a hybrid, compact, or sedan, which I fill up once per week or more.

I have a hybrid, compact, or sedan, which I fill up less than once per week.

I have a van, truck, or SUV, which I fill up once per week or more.

I don't have use a personal vehicle, I use public transit and carpools.

I have a van, truck, or SUV, which I fill up less than once per week.

Typical household waste can include old medicine (e.g. off the shelf, prescriptions), floss, and sanitary products (e.g. tampons, wet wipes, napkins).

10 / 10

10. How do you dispose of common household wastes?

I dispose of old medicine by bringing it to the pharmacy, and I dispose of other items, such as floss and sanitary products, in my sink or toilet.

I dispose of old medicine in the sink or toilet, and I dispose of other items, such as floss and sanitary products, in the garbage.

I dispose of old medicine in the sink or toilet and I dispose of other items, such as floss and sanitary products, in my sink or toilet.

I dispose of old medicine by bringing it to the pharmacy, and I dispose of other items, such as floss and sanitary products, in the garbage.

Your score is

The average score is 28%

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So, how are you doing?

Did you know?