Along with food and breathable air, drinkable water is one of the fundamental resources that human beings and wildlife depend on for survival. Although the majority of Earth's surface is covered by water, only a tiny fraction of it is available for human consumption. Various human activities can endanger water supplies by means of pollution or overuse. Protecting sources of drinkable water will be necessary to prevent shortages in the future. Water conservation is essential when it comes to ensuring that adequate amounts of water are available in the future. Home improvements that focus on water conservation not only preserve access to water for all but also reduce utility costs for individual homeowners.

Water Conservation

Conserving water involves maintaining the availability and acceptable quality of drinking water. This means reducing the number of pathogens and toxic chemicals that are allowed to enter the lakes, rivers, and oceans of the world as well as reducing the consumption of water. Homeowners can do their part by installing low-flow shower heads and toilets, taking shorter showers, and checking for leaks in their plumbing. Switching from sprinklers to drip irrigation is another major way to reduce unnecessary water use around the home. Home remodeling projects that integrate water conservation into their design also will save homeowners money on their water bills in the long run.

Home Remodeling and Improvement

Homeowners remodel their houses for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it may be in order to improve the home's curb appeal for future sale or to make it more comfortable to live in. Whatever the motivation is, it is wise to know what renovations are suitable for do-it-yourself projects and which ones should involve hiring a contractor. Homeowners should also consider improvements in water conservation when they plan to do renovations that involve plumbing and for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. It is also important to factor in affordability so that one does not go too deeply into debt as a result of their renovations.

• Conservation at Home: Improvement of Water Usage: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides visitors with a list of links related to environmental protection and water conservation.
• Drought Planning and Management in Alabama: Learn about droughts in Alabama on the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs website.
• Water Conservation at Home: Repair Pipes to Save Water and Other Water-Saving Tips: Visit the city of Bradford's website for a list of links to resources related to water conservation.
• Welcome to KidZone! Learn about water conservation with these links on the WaterOne Kids website.
• Water Conservation Around the Home: Improvement Strategies for Water Conservation: Residents and homeowners of Calvert County can click this link to find valuable water and sewer resources.
• Water Conservation in the Information: The city of Sonoma, California, provides advice for how to use less water in the home here.
• What's in our Watershed? What Is a Watershed? Find Out! Learn about the waters that run below Moses Lake, Washington, and watersheds in general.
• Kids: You Make a Difference! Children can help protect their local water supply from pollution. This page by the town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, offers a few tips for children on how they can make a difference.
• Conserving Water at Home: Repair Toilet Leaks and More: Find some useful water conservation advice at the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, government website.
• Water Conservation Tips: Water conservation is essential to ensuring that water is available for everyone.
• How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? Visit the Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens website for an article about factors that affect the cost of remodeling a kitchen.
• How Failure to Address Home Repair Issues Like Leaks Can Cost You Money and Damage Your Health: Learn about the potential financial and health issues of plumbing leaks by visiting the Bayview Plumbing website.
• Top Home Improvement Projects: Top Property Improvements features a number of articles about foundation repair tips on their website.
• Three Home Repair Issues That Require Professional Help: Desperate Houselife talks about issues that people should not try to fix via do-it-yourself projects.
• Financial Planning for Home Improvement Projects: Home remodeling projects can be expensive. This article by Planting Money Seeds talks about how to spend and save wisely for home improvements and how to cut costs where feasible.
• Five Tips for Choosing Tile for Your Shower Remodel: Click this link for advice on how to pick the right tile for a bathroom remodeling project.
• Home Improvements and Repairs: The Iowa attorney general offers homeowners advice on how to find a reliable contractor for home repairs and prevent being ripped off.
• Students Compete at Home Improvement Show: Go here to read a notice by Gateway Technical College about a home improvement contest.
• TJ Renovations: Thomas Jefferson High School has a notice page about renovations here.
• Home Improvements and Structural Alterations: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explains what home improvements they will and will not cover under an accessibility grant program.
• Home Improvement Basics: Do it Yourself: Click this link to see home improvement classes offered by the Community College of Allegheny County.
• Basics of Home Improvement: Learn about basic home improvement classes for do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
• Building a Market: The Rise of the Home Improvement Industry: This link takes readers to a review of a book about the home improvement industry from 1914 to 1960.
• Renovation Updates: Go here to read the latest news and events at Denison University.
• Scoville and Johnson House Renovations: Carleton College provides information about renovations at buildings on their campus here.
• Housing and Home Improvement: The city of Cleveland, Ohio, offers links to information about buying a home or renting, building and maintenance, and housing-related legal issues.
• Home Remodeling and Repair Program: Readers who are interested in home improvement courses at Penn Foster Career School can find useful information on this page.
• Home Improvement Loans: Click this link to learn about loans offered by the city of Diamond Bar, California. It provides some details about what home improvement projects are eligible and who may qualify.
• Home Improvement Loans and Grants: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer financial aid for certain home renovations that make a home safer or more habitable.
• Save This: A Checklist of Easy Home Hacks to Prevent Falls: Readers who are interested in how to avoid fall-related accidents around the home will find this article by Ohio State University an informative resource.