5 Water Saving Tips For Travelers

Transportation seems to be the main focus when it comes to traveling green. But water is also terribly important]. No resource is more precious on this planet, and, yet, no resource is more abused, misallocated, polluted, or otherwise undrinkable; 2.6 billion people in the world lack access to sanitary toilet facilities and 1.1 billion people have no access to safe drinking water.

This summer when you're making your travel plans take this truly important resource into account. Here are Responsible Travel's tips for conserving water when you're globetrotting.

1. Find out about your hotel's water conservation practices. Call any hotels that you were considering staying at ahead of time and ask some water conservation questions. Do they measure their water usage? Do they use dual flush toilets? Do they harvest rainwater?
   
   

2. Regulate your own water usage.
   
   In the same way that you would at home, make sure to take short showers and skip the baths. Wear clothing until it is actually dirty and don't just send it to the laundry. Bring your own water bottle and drink from the tap instead of drinking bottled water.



3. Skip the golf courses.
   

   Golf courses often use tons of water (amongst other no-nos like tons of chemicals) to keep the course that neon color. If you just can't resist, do some research ahead of time to find courses that have water conservation practices. "The average amount of water used by one golf course in Thailand is enough for 60,000 Thai villagers for one day. If you want to play golf, check with the club as to what steps they are taking to minimize their water usage," according to BeMoreEco.




4. Make sure that your linens are not washed every day.
   
   Many hotels are doing this now but you still need to make sure. In fact, make sure that your linens are only washed when totally necessary to skip all that wasted water.



5. Report water problems to your hotel's staff.
   
   If you find leaky faucets or dripping taps report it to the staff. Don't be lazy and let the water waste continue.