Save Water

In Cool Ways

Why is Saving Water So Important? 
(Water Is A Nonrenewable Resource) 

Create a Family Water Conservation Plan

Learn water-saving tips and create a plan to conserve water by making small changes at home.

Water is an important natural resource. We need clean water for drinking, washing our hands, and growing food. We can help to make sure there is enough water for everyone by conserving water, which means using less every day.

In the video Back to Canalia’s Future, the Cybersquad meets Pearl and learns that the water levels in Canalia are slowly going down and will dry up completely unless Canalia’s residents learn how to conserve water. Can the Cybersquad and Pearl use their problem-solving skills (and time machine) to help save Canalia’s future?

Watch this three part video to learn simple ways to save a little bit of water each day. Then create a plan to conserve water by making small changes in your home.

Directions

Download Water Conservation plan here: English | Spanish

  1. Ask your child to think of all the times that your family uses water at home each day. Starting when you wake up in the morning, go through your normal routine. Every time you think of an activity that uses water, write it in the chart in the Water Conservation Plan printable.

  2. Read the water-saving tips chart with your child and think about the water saving ideas you saw in the videos. Then pick at least three ways that your family can try to save water at home.

  3. On the Water-Saving Plan page, ask your child to write your family’s plan for saving water.

  4. Let your child color or decorate the plan. Then put it in a place where everyone can see it, so you will all be reminded to follow the plan every day.

Water – you turn it on, you get as much as you want, whenever you want. No big deal, right?

Have you ever thought about how the water you use affects other people? Imagine that all of the water your needed came from one small lake and you had to share that water with two of your neighbors. If you used more water than you needed, there would be less water for your neighbors to use. Now imagine that your neighbor is the one using more water than he or she needs. You wouldn’t have enough water to drink or shower. Wouldn’t that be awful? So, don’t take water for granted. Here are some cool water saving tips to share with your friends and family.

Cool Ways to Save Water Indoors

  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Wet your toothbrush, then fill a glass with the water you need for rinsing – Just turn it off!

  • When you’re in the shower, play beat the clock! Be sure to get clean, but try to do it in five minutes or less.

  • Everybody likes to look cool at school. But don’t wash just one shirt or one pair of jeans – Do full loads!

  • Remind your parents to only run the clothes washer and dishwasher when they’re full.

  • When you give your pet fresh water, use the old water on plants outside instead of pouring it down the drain.

  • Don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Instead of flushing bugs and facial tissue, put them in the trash can instead.

  • If you see a faucet leak or hear the toilet running when no one has used it, tell your parents so they can fix the leaks and save water and money. Most leaks are easy to fix – with practice you may be able to help! Did you know that faucet leaks can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day and a toilet leak can waste up to 300 gallons a day? That really adds up!

Cool Ways to Save Water Outdoors

  • Remind everyone to water plants, not the sidewalk. Plants need water to grow big and strong. Keep water off streets and sidewalks – Use your head!

  • Don’t play with water toys that need a constant stream of water.

  • Be water smart. Use a bucket of water to wash your dog or your family car, don’t leave the hose running – Don’t let it drip.

  • Try to do at least one thing every day to save water. Even if it’s just a little bit of water, it helps when everyone tries to make a difference.