There are some people that argue that the next major conflict on the planet will be for this: potable, drinking water. This already affects 2 billion people around the World, according to this UNESCO report. It is not possible to neglect this issue. 

The idea is actively search for means to assure that there will be water for the future generations. 

This can be achieved by increasing the water supply (improvements in water treatment, desalinization techniques, rain collection, protection of water streams) and decrease the losses with water usage. Ideally, one would start with the activities that are more responsible for waste, then move on to more marginal gains. 

Here are some suggestions:

• First, from now on make a spreadsheet where you will note, every month, how many m3 of water does your household uses. Search online to see what is an average water usage for your location and number of family members, and compare your value to this. This will increase your awareness and raise an alert for any unchecked water leaks.

• If you don't have the phone number of a good plumber, make a list of phone numbers for emergencies, so that you can respond more quickly when there is a problem. Correct leaks promptly. 

• Consider changing your habits. Every 20 days or so, start enforcing one of these positive habits: 

  • Cut 2 minutes of your shower time; Just 2 minutes, you can do it. Make long relaxing showers and exception rather than the rule. Listen to music while you shower, so you know how long has it been. It is also fun.

  • Brush your teeth and shave without a running faucet; 

  • Take more time between car washes; 

  • Only wash clothes and laundry on full loads and use the proper water level; 

  • Dry clean with a broom driveways and sidewalks most of the time, 

  • Watering grass, If you step on grass and it lifts back when you remove the foot, it does not need water. Also, when watering, make sure to deep-soak the grass, or else water will just evaporate - do this on morning rather than dusk to prevent fungus; 

  • Get a mug instead of plastic cups for your office.

• It is important not to try to change all your habits at once, but gradually. Change takes time. You should also naturally inspire your children to do the same, but don't force habits into them. Just do your part. 

• If you have issues changing your ways, but have some money to spare, invest on a rain collector for your toilets. The idea is to flush your toilet with rainwater. You can save many gallons of water in this fashion. There are also dual-flush options that flush less water, for say, Number 1 and Number 2. 

• Experimental Projects - these experiments were never tested by me:

  • Change the faucets in you home to electronic faucets with electro mechanical valves and ARDUINO. Control precisely the flow, prevent a leaking faucet after use. 

  • Put a plastic bottle with sand inside the water compartment of your flush, if possible. That will rise the level of water and fool the level sensor conserving water. Check if the efficiency of the flush is still OK, or if you are just repeating the flushes over and over.

  • Upgrade your garden with an ARDUINO watering system that measures moisture from the dirt. There are inexpensive sensors for this purpose. This will even save you time and make sure your plants get more consistent watering. You can also opt for dry-resistant species.   

• Advanced and Demanding Projects

  • Prepare a cost-effective and easy-to-install project of rain collection for rural homes.

  • Learn how to use and install small wind generators to pump water. Share this expertise with small communities. 

  • Study extensively how people spend water in their homes to come up with real suggestions to save water that actually rank water saving measures from best to worse. Publish your findings. Make pamphlets for your community. 

  • If you have a chemistry flare, delve into desalinization, until you can figure out how to contribute on the development of those technologies.

  • Study effective ways to reduce water waste in agriculture.  

  • Focus on an industrial process that consumes a lot of water, study it, and try to improve upon it or replace the product it produces.