Water conservation starts before the faucet.

Drinking water conservation is an issue around the world, especially in dry places like California or Australia. As the environmental causes show no signs of going away, it's up to us all to work towards solutions.

Luckily, there are more options available to us than just reducing our water consumption, or forgoing almonds and avocados.

Leaking water mains are an ongoing problem, and one we know how to address. Every day in the United States alone our pipes leak one gallon of treated water for every human on Earth—enough to meet all of California's daily water needs, from residential consumption to agriculture and industry.

One obvious (but disruptive and expensive) solution is to replace these aging pipes, but we knew there had to be a better one. The 3M™ Scotchkote Pipe Renewal Liner 2400 uses an advanced, quick-curing polyurea solution that enhances the structure of aging pipes, extending their lives. It's applied using a spin-cast method, like water from a rotating sprinkler that lines the pipe completely. That means fewer cracks, gaps and holes, and fewer leaks.

The world is changing—and that's why we're shaping the way forward