Although water is a renewable resource, cleaning polluted water uses a great deal of energy. Around 16 billion pounds of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere each year from the treatment process of water, according to the Natural Resource Defense Council. In dry areas where water is scarce, often from pollution and misuse or prolonged droughts, water needs to be transported from other areas, using even more energy. These prolonged droughts, which are becoming more common in certain areas, including the Midwest of the U.S., are brought on by global warming. The irony is that the transportation and treating of water contributes to the warming of the Earth, creating a dangerous cycle.

Saving water can do wonders for the environment. Small changes in your daily habits and switching to energy efficient taps and showers can save water and money. Low-flow toilets are also a great investment, but some people simply displace the water in the tank using a brick. A common water wasting habit is leaving the tap on while brushing your teeth. This can waste up to four gallons, depending on how long you brush your teeth!

Bottled water has created a huge amount of waste, especially in the U.S. We are currently the biggest bottled water drinkers in the world. Not only does the actual bottle create waste, but 17 million barrels of crude oil are used to make those bottles every year. Then again, if we're spending all this money on bottled water, it must be a lot safer than tap water. Wrong. Tap water is regulated by the EPA, which is much pickier about the quality of water than the FDA, the regulator of bottled water. There cannot be any amount of E. coli or fecal coliform in tap water, but the FDA allows for a certain amount of bacteria to be in bottled water. Some people complain about the taste of tap water, which is often caused by the small amount of chlorine residual that keeps the water bacteria-free and safe for drinking. Bottled water may be more convenient when you're on the go, but it can be just as convient to use a reusable container or simply reuse an empty water bottle. If you have multiple bottles, you can keep a stash in your refrigerator for the same convenience as buying bottled water while saving a dollar or two per bottle.