New Hampshire is known as a state with lots of water. We have sreams, rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, estuaries and the ocean. Why should we think about water conservation? Recent periods of extended drought have shown that our water supplies, though usually adequate, can vary dramatically with changes in precipitation patterns. These droughts have gotten many people thinking more about how to conserve water. Using less water not only helps avoid severe shortages later, it offers other benefits as well.