r/askscience • u/chikinwing15 • Mar 05 '19

Planetary Sci. Why do people say “conserve water” when it evaporates and recycles itself?

We see everyone saying “conserve water” and that we shouldn’t “waste” water but didn’t we all learn in middle school about the water cycle and how it reuses water? I’m genuinely curious, I just have never understood it and why it matter that we don’t take long showers or keep a faucet running or whatever. I’ve just always been under the impression water can’t be wasted. Thanks!

Edit: wow everyone, thanks for the responses! I posted it and went to bed, just woke up to see all of the replies. Thanks everyone so much, it’s been really helpful. Keep it coming!

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u/palkab Mar 05 '19

Plus your shower water is heated, likely with gas, resulting in more CO2 output the more water you use.

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u/ruben10111 Mar 10 '19

Is it america that does this? and why do they use gas for everything? Is it just not feasible to make a sustainable hydroelectric dam or something because it will provide less jobs in the long run?