I just read an article that major companies such as Levi's, are re-thinking and changing their manufacturing process because they realize that water is becoming a scarce resource.  For your own personal living, there are many simple ways to conserve water and heat.  The following are inexpensive and effective water and heat conservation tips:
- have family members take showers right after each other (the bathroom is already  warmed up and if you have a tank for a water heater, you already have used the energy to warm up the water of the entire tank)
- do only cold cycle washes in your washing machine
- check and replace all leaky faucets and water hoses
- check and repair all leaky toilets
- wear clothes two to four times before you wash (unless they are workout clothes which needs to be washed after each use)
- instead of getting rid of existing soup or chicken stock, use it to cook your rice
- use less detergents (whether it is for dishes or clothes or scrubbing your kitchen counters) so you will need to use less water to rinse off
- replace your lawn with native plants and/or stones so that you do not need to water the lawn
- invest in a rain barrel and use the collected water to water your garden and plants