When it comes to wise water consumption, Canada is not exactly a world leader. In fact, on a 2008 list of 16 peer countries, Canada came in 15th in terms of water conservation, ahead of only the United States. Industry is Canada's largest water user, but we all have a part to play in conserving this precious natural resource. The Conference Board of Canada says our widespread water waste "can be attributed to the lack of widespread water conservation practices and water pricing that does not promote efficiency". Basically, we pay so little for water in this country that we don't bother to conserve.

So why does water matter? According to the Forum for Leadership on Water (FLOW) Canada, the answer is simple but huge: "Water underpins the framework of our society. It is fundamental to not only the environment but also the vitality of our economy and human health". Given how central water is to every aspect of Canadian society, finding ways to use less of it is important.

This infographic details the importance of conserving water, and how little clean, reusable water there is on the planet. It also offers some handy tips on how to reduce your water usage and save money in the process: