Ever wonder why the water doesn't taste as good as it used to?

In years gone by, there was nothing quite like an ice-cold glass of fresh water on a hot summer's day. Now you might take your life in your hands -- literally -- by drinking water that isn't bottled. Even then you may not be sure about the water's safety, because who knows what's contaminated the water source?

Yet water is the staff of life. How have we arrived at the situation where we can't even trust one of the most basic of necessities?

Sewer systems concentrate waste, then dispose of it all in the same location. As development sweeps across the globe and more people move into cities, the situation only gets worse.

And not nearly all sewage receives the necessary treatment to reduce its environmental impact. In Latin America, 98% of sewage goes untreated, while in India, treatment facilities provide service for under 30% of the population.

When we use fertilizers and pesticides, the chemicals find their way into our water systems. It has been found that at least 10% of nitrogen and 25% of phosphates applied to land linger in the environment.

We don't always use our common sense. Animals don't deliberately foul their own water supplies, but humans -- the ones who are supposed to be able to "reason" -- dump their garbage and pump poisons into their water supplies every day.

Not only that, but here in North America we are fond of wasting this wonderful natural resource. The amount of water the average North American family uses in a day would last a week or more in less-developed countries. And most of what we use goes down the drain, along with our dollars.

If you haven't looked closely at your utility bills, you won't have noticed that water costs have jumped in a major way. What used to be a water bill of $20 is now $45, and in a couple of years it'll be $60.

The thing is that if the average homeowner doesn't start practicing water conservation now, they'll be forced to in the future -- it'll be just too expensive to let the tap drip.

A friend of mine tells about the time he lived in Italy for a year or so, and noticed that his apartment toilet was running constantly. Not being handy, he let it run, figuring (in North American fashion) that it wasn't a problem.

Then he got his water bill. One month's water wastage equaled one month's rent. Suddenly the man became a water conservation freak.

It doesn't take much to reduce the amount of water you use. And that has an impact -- down the line -- on the entire problem of global pollution and reduced resources. But North Americans must realize that they're using too much water in everyday life.

Flow restrictors on showerheads help. Sure, they make the "experience" of showering a little less enjoyable, but the water will still get your body clean, which is the main reason for taking a shower.

In North America, we've been blessed with plentiful water supplies, but it won't last. Californians have been talking for years about importing Canadian water, because the supplies they get from Colorado aren't enough. Where does it stop?

You can make a difference in the kitchen and bathroom, in the food processing plant and the paper mill -- basically, at the tap.

Water, like every resource, is in a limited supply -- no matter how deep the flood was last spring. And we must cherish it.