Why is it necessary to conserve water when there is water everywhere? Contrary to appearances, fresh water is not really as plentiful as you might think. Ninety-seven percent of the water on the planet is actually salt water, not suitable for consumption. Only 3 percent of the Earth's water supply is fresh, and the majority of that is locked away in ice caps and glaciers. The reality is that just 1 percent of the water on Earth is available for all of the world's agricultural, manufacturing, sanitation, and personal household needs. So it is important to conserve what we have now.

How much water do you use each day? Would you believe that each American uses roughly 100 to 150 gallons of water on a daily basis? Find out where all of this water goes and how you can conserve it.

Inside the house, the bathroom is the biggest water drain, accounting for three-quarters of all indoor water use. Outside, it's lawn care and car washing that suck up most of the water.

Remember, you pay for water three times: to buy it, to heat it (for hot water), and to take it away. So, reducing water consumption can save you a bundle on your water, energy, and sewer bills. It also eases the burden on water treatment facilities, curbing pollution and conserving energy.