Today's question: I leave the water running while I brush my teeth. Does this waste much water?

Plain Talk answer: You bet! Leaving the water running is a bad habit; about 4 to 6 gallons (20 to 25 liters) of water go down the drain needlessly every time you brush because the average bathroom faucet runs at a rate of about 2 gallons (7.5 liters) a minute. Turning off the water when you are not using it will save water and save you money.

For more information on this and many other water-related topics, check out Plain Talk About Drinking Water by Dr. James M. Symons.