We are nearing the Summer Solstice and just before the hottest season of the year. It is a time when thoughts turn to running through sprinklers and soaking in cool, refreshing water. But before you do, take a moment to consider where this precious substance originates and how it gets from the source to you.

We all live in a watershed. Watersheds are the area of land that catch all precipitation and urban run-off, and through gravity the water seeps into the ground, or drains into a marsh, stream, river, lake, or ocean.

After water has soaked into the ground, it continues moving down through the earth, through gravity-induced capillary action where sand, silt, and soil filter impurities out. Wetlands (known as the kidneys of the earth) are particularly efficient at filtering water through riparian plants and soil. Groundwater eventually reaches a layer of impermeable bedrock or clay (which is why vernal pools do not drain). At this point the water stops and spreads out or pools in the soil and surrounding area. Over time, pooled groundwater forms aquifers, which support specialized species such as Devil's Hole, Shoshone, and Tecopa pupfish who survive by using aquifer fed pools.

We must remember that as humans we are only one part of the larger community of plants and animals all utilizing the same water source. We are not the only life that needs water.

To meet our insatiable thirst, wells are dug or drilled to tap into groundwater. However, the rate at which groundwater is recharged (or replenished) is much slower than the expeditious rate it is extracted for human use. Only 3 percent of all water on Earth is fresh water, and at least 30 percent of that fresh water is contained in groundwater. Much of the fresh water on earth is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps, so in addition to loss of an essential ecosystem and its flora and fauna, you can see why hydrologists, ecologists, biologists, and civic leaders are so alarmed at the rate the glaciers are disappearing. We all need to pay attention to our use of water.

Water Saving Tips: Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, shampooing your hair, or washing the dishes. Due to the energy used to get the water, running the water for 5 minutes is equivalent to burning a 60-watt lightbulb for 14 hours.

Rip out that lawn and plant native vegetation better suited for your ecosystem. Not only will you use less water, you'll also provide the food and shelter that the creatures indigenous to your home environment need to survive.

Water your plants or lawns at night when evapotranspiration is less. Or catch rainwater in rain barrels or from gutters on the roof to water your lawn. Water for 7 minutes or less, 2 times per week. You can “train” your lawn and plants to thrive on this watering system.

Wash your car at a facility that recycles water on site.

If your water heater is a long distance from your bath (in other words it takes forever for the water to get hot) put a bucket in the shower to capture the water as it heats up. Then you can water the plants or lawn with the water.

For more water tips check out: www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

Become involved in your watershed. Take it a step beyond your home and yard to contact your local water district to learn what percentage of your water comes from groundwater or how much is imported. Has your water been treated either at a desalination plant or from wastewater? Is your city's groundwater being tampered with in any way? Is it being sold to private companies or other cities and for what purpose?

For example, in southern California most cities get the majority of their water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which serves as a critical water supply hub for the state. Water is routed through an extensive network of canals and pumps out of the delta that traverse nearly the length of the state, including the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. Water from the Delta provides drinking water for nearly 23 million people, almost two-thirds of the state's population, and provides water to farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. This National Geographic article addresses the fragility of this system http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/plumbing-california/bourne-text/1 and what measures are being taken to preserve water, including treating wastewater.

Use the power of citizenship to advocate for the best use of water. Armed with knowledge we have a better chance of ensuring that members of our world community, from the Tecopa pupfish, to a young boy in Northwestern Mexico waiting in line for hours to fill a bucket of water, to your own child has enough water, and doing whatever we can to keep it in good supply for years to come.