Water. ItGÇÖs not just for drinking, washing, farming, and cooking. It's a precious resource. The average American uses about 2000 gallons of water a day. 95% of it is hidden in the food we eat, energy we use, and the products we buy.

In the West, our major source of fresh water is the not-so-deep Colorado River. Over 30 million people rely on the Colorado for food, water, recreation, energy, and work. Not to mention the countless species whose survival depends on the river!?

Americans use so much water that the Colorado doesn't even reach the sea anymore. YOU can help change this with a simple pledge to conserve Water for the West:

I pledge...
To eat less meat
To buy less stuff
To buy recycled
To recycle
To use water and energy efficient appliances

When you Run with Ralphie's Green Stampede and the take the pledge, Wells Fargo will sponsor projects to keep more water in the Colorado.

For every pledge that CU receives, 1000 gallons of water will be restored to the Colorado River Basin.

To pledge, text CUwater to 27126, or click the pledge button below:

Energy Use:

• Energy production accounts for 30% of water use. Turn off lights and electronics when they are not in use.
• It takes 13 gallons of water to make one gallon of gasoline, use public transportation!

Eating Habits

• It takes 634 gallons of water to make one burger. Eat meat once a day instead of twice.
• Compost food waste instead of using the garbage disposal.

Water Use:

• Shorten your showers by a minute or two and save up to 150 gallons per month.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths and turn off water while soaping or shampooing.

Consumption

• It takes 2900 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans, buy fewer clothes or shop second hand
• It takes 100 gallons of water to make one plastic water use?Bring your own bottle!

Efficient Homes:

• By installing low-flow appliances like faucets, showerheads, and toilets , you can reduce water use by up to 30%
• Switch your showerhead to a low-flow model and save up to 2,900 gallons per year.
• The average home loses 11,000 gallons of water each year due to leaks. Check toilets, faucets, showerheads, irrigation, and appliances for water leaks and fix them right away and save the same amount of water used in 270 loads of laundry!
• Plant native vegetation instead of thirsty grasses!