I also agree with your idea of altruistically trying not to waste what we have. If we realize we’re habitually doing something unnecessary and possibly harmful, why wouldn’t we try to stop?

I’ve read about using roofs to collect graywater. From redirecting drainspouts into a barrel (I’d be wary of mosquitos!) to installing metal roofing and using the filtered runnoff for laundry, toilets, and gardens. One can also use clothes washing water in gardens; apparently vegetables like a little soap.

1) Just because I have something in plenty (water, food, money, etc.) doesn’t mean I should waste it. Whether or not it ever gets to a woman in Sudan, I still shouldn’t waste it.

2) This is about advocacy and awareness as much as anything. If I’m aware of the women in Sudan’s situation, and aware of how much water I use, I’m more likely to find ways to deal with it, whether that’s minimize my own water usage or donate to organizations that help bring water to people like the woman you mention. As Shane Claiborne says, it’s also a way to be in solidarity with people who lack water.

3) Ultimately, I think being better stewards of our water does help people across the globe. If water becomes a scarce and valuable resource like oil, the poor are screwed. So if we can conserve water and find ways to keep water from becoming so valuable, we do help those people without water. I’d like to think there’s enough water for everybody, but we’re not going to get there if we’re using 20 times the water than the rest of the world.

So there’s no direct connection. My water saved isn’t being bottled and shipped to a thirsty soul across the globe. But I do think it makes a difference.

It seems a little like supporting gun control in Minnesota to stop the militia in Somalia.