(BPT)-Did you know that it takes about 97 gallons of water to make a pumpkin spice latte? How about the 4,700 gallons used to make your family’s 16-pound holiday turkey?

The data in a recent report highlights how much water is really needed to produce common items that most Americans like during the holidays. The report also found that in terms of protection, Americans seriously underestimated their water consumption.

In fact, according to the Water Footprint Network, Americans estimate that each person uses less than 100 gallons per day, while the actual number exceeds 2,000 gallons. These figures take into account the water consumed directly, such as washing dishes or watering the lawn, and the water consumed indirectly, such as the water needed to produce food for consumption or the clothes you wear.

This lack of knowledge about water extends to the items they use every day, not just the water they consume directly. For example, many people think that producing a pair of jeans requires almost no water, but in fact, a brand-new pair of jeans requires approximately 2,600 gallons.

According to the United Nations, water scarcity affects every continent. There are currently 1.42 billion people living in water-scarce areas, and more and more areas have reached their limits. This important resource requires protection, investment and continuing education.

With this in mind, 9 out of 10 Americans may try at least one new habit to save water next year. Would you like to join them? To commemorate the "Imagine a Day Without Water" on October 21, American Water offers some simple ways to do your part and reduce your water footprint.

1. Assess your daily water consumption

Take a day to pay special attention to how you use the water. How long is your shower time? Do you let the faucet run when you are not using it? See if there is any way to stop wasting water. Armed with this knowledge, the report found that 56% of Americans might try to shorten their shower time to the length of two songs, but currently only 8% do so. Try to open some tunes and scrub when the two songs are finished, to have fun while helping to save H2O.

2. Don't let the faucet run

The most common and wasteful activity that Americans do is turning on the tap while brushing their teeth. The report found that one in five people do this every day. Assuming that people brush their teeth twice a day for one minute each time, this would waste 3 gallons of water per day or 1.5 gallons of water per minute. 20% of American adults do this every day, which means that approximately 149.9 million gallons of water are lost every day due to this easily changeable task.

3. Use a dishwasher instead of hand washing

When you let the faucet run, washing the dishes by hand is actually more wasteful. Simply scraping off food residue-instead of rinsing it-and loading the dishwasher into the dishwasher can save gallons of water. In addition, before starting the dishwasher, please collect a full load of utensils. This can save an average of 320 gallons of water per week.

4. Waiting for full clothes

Paying attention to washing habits can extend the life of clothes and protect the earth. You can join the ranks of 64% of Americans who may try to incorporate waiting for full laundry into their daily lives to save more water. In addition, please wear clothes multiple times and choose the correct cycle to save water and protect your clothes.

5. Use automatic closing hose

Because many people keep the water pipe on when they wash their cars at home, this is one of the most water-wasting activities. The report found that Americans do this 2.6 times a month, which is equivalent to the loss of 2,340 gallons of water per person per year. By adding an automatic shut-off nozzle to the end of the hose, you can save up to 5 gallons of water per minute.

6. Check and repair leaks

Every year, leaks around houses are an important part of wasted water. Regularly evaluate your faucet gaskets, shower heads, and plumbing fittings, check for drip hoses and mushy turf on the outside of your home, and check the leak indicator on the water meter.

Use your water bill as a tool to help you take responsibility. Every month, try to set a goal to reduce water use and check the progress of the next bill. In addition, a sudden spike in water charges may be an indicator of new leaks, so be careful when the volume and cost rise.

Don't water beyond local limits, but develop wise water habits from the start. Use a water-saving irrigation system, pay attention to the weather, and use rain buckets to use rainwater. Keep in mind that the best time to water lawns and gardens is usually in the early morning or after the sun goes down, as this will limit evaporation, which means more water will enter the ground to help plants thrive.

9. Investment in high-efficiency electrical appliances and fixtures

If you are looking for new household appliances or fixtures in the market, look for an Energy Star certified model. When you choose to save water, your utility company may even provide incentives. With this in mind, the report found that 64% of Americans may try to install more environmentally friendly appliances in their homes to save more water, but only 7% of them currently do so.

Although Americans are open to water saving practices, Americans have lost millions of gallons of water due to wasteful habits. Share your knowledge about water conservation and water conservation with friends, family and neighbors. Even the smallest steps can go a long way.

American Water invites you to imagine a day without water and follow these tips to protect such a precious and important resource. To learn more, visit amwater.com.

Other items you may be interested in

The most popular stories in Lichfield Park

Don’t miss a beat: just submit your email address below, click the opt-in email link, and check your inbox on YourValley.net for news from Daily Independent. Thank you for reading!

Read the latest print edition here.

In the past 11 months, I have spent thousands of miles in Arizona in the Senate and talked with local leaders from big cities, small towns, rural areas, and tribal countries. The message they gave me is the same: Our community needs federal investment to upgrade our infrastructure, create high-paying jobs, and put more money in the pockets of working families.

COVID-19 in numbers: information for you

Smart ways to stay warm and healthy this winter: 4 smart tips to prepare for the cold season

5 maneras de apoyar a pequeñas empresas comprando localmente en esta temporada festiva

4 active holiday cleaning strategies for pet owners

Incorporate the principles of fashion to create a stylish and gorgeous feeling in the bathtub

YourValley.net 623-972-6101 17220 N Boswell Blvd Suite 101 Sun City AZ 85373 Email: azdelivery@iniusa.org