MNN - Mother Nature Network

H2O-minded infographics released in observation of World Water Day (this years theme: Water Cooperation) are, for better or worse, a dime dozen.

 

However this one, released by British construction training firm Able Skills, stood out to me from the soggy pack (although I'd rather not be reminded of the existence of Michael Flatley, thank you very much).

 

It hits upon all the big issues: clean water and sanitation issues in developing areas around the globe, basic methods of household water conservation, and water usage per nation. It's not surprising in the least that the U.S. leads the pack in wastefulness (per head) while the Danes are rather conservative in their water usage. Weirdly, it's not the U.K. or Germany that has the dubious distinction of being Europe's top water-waster — that would be Portgual.

 

And of course, the unsung heroes behind it all are the leak-fixing, sanitation-providing plumbers who help us to conserve a resource that we often take for granted; a resource desperately lacking in many areas around the world. 

 

It's also no accident that World Water Day coincides with Fix a Leak Week, a household water conservation/home repair initiative from the EPA's WaterSense program. In the U.S. alone, more than 1 trillion tons of water is lost to drippy fixtures, faulty toilet flappers, leaky faucets, and the like. By EPA estimates, 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 or more gallons per day while leaks can account for, on average, 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year. There's never been a better time for homeowners to check — or hire a plumber to check — fixtures and irrigation systems. 

 

Without further ado, here’s the crack-free "Why Plumbers are Heroes" infographic from Able Skills. Following that, I’ve rounded up a handful of agua-centric posts from this past year for your revisiting pleasure.

 

How are you observing World Water Day?

 

 

• Double your pleasure: A conceptual shower/washing machine combo