A: Tom, you sound like a very practical guy, and you do bring up some good points that I'd like to address.

First, I am not a scientist myself, so all I can do is back you up to say that I have read some of the same information about how we have as much water today on this planet as when the earth was first formed. As I recall, the information stated that earth's water cannot be created or destroyed. So, you do make a good point.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean all of the earth's usable water is readily available to society anytime its needed. So, the key issue is the "availability" of safe potable drinking water and having enough water stored in our reservoirs to distribute it to our cities and towns across the country.

If you don't believe that water shortages do exist, just ask anyone living in Atlanta. Another example is that the Colorado River no longer flows to into the ocean. Many cities, farms, and towns in the dry areas of the West depend on the water from the Colorado to survive, and once the river gets south of the border there's not much left -- and incredibly, it does dry up before it reaches the ocean. (For more information on the Colorado River, there's an Imax film called "Grand Canyon Adventure / River at Risk" that documents the water shortages facing many areas of the West.)

To get back to your question, in my opinion "saving water" is not about lower utility bills. It's about keeping as much water in our reservoirs as possible. We do this by using "less water," so you and I do agree. With that in mind, instead of telling people to "save water," since as you pointed out, saving water may not be a correct term, from now on I'll try to say "use less water" in all my speeches.

For instance, one quick way we can all "use less water," is to purchase new plumbing fixtures with the new EPA "Water Sense" label on them. The Water Sense program for plumbing fixtures works like the Energy Star program for appliances. If you see a new toilet with the EPA Water Sense label, that toilet has been tested to flush with maximum performance power, while using less than 1.3 gallons per flush. So, if we change our pre 1990 older water guzzling toilets to new toilets with the EPA Water Sense label, we can all "use less water" and help keep our rivers and reservoirs full. Hmm, I do like the sound of that.

Bottom line, I don't care how I have to say it, just as long as everyone gets my message: When it comes to conserving water, it's now time for all of us to step up to the plate... if we want to keep our cups full!