Why is Conservation Important?
Water is a valuable resource and is often taken for granted. With 70% of the earth's surface being water, it is a logical assumption that there is enough to fulfill all our needs. However, fresh, clean water is not a limitless resource and without conservation efforts we may one day exhaust the supply of this vital resource.
Simple water conservation not only saves you money on your utility bill, it also supports the prevention of water pollution in our nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.
Household water conservation does not require a significant cost investment. There are water-saving appliances and water conservation systems such as rain barrels, drip irrigation and on-demand water heaters which are more expensive; however, the majority of water saving methods can be achieved at very little cost.
Conservation Tips
| Bathroom Tips |
- Check your toilet for leaks - Put a little food colouring in your toilet tank, if without flushing the colour begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately
- Stop using the toilet as a wastebasket - Every time you flush a facial tissue or other trash, you use 6 to 12 litres of water
- Check faucets and pipes for leaks - Leaks cause water to be wasted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can often be repaired with an inexpensive washer
- Place plastic bottles in your high flow toilet tank - To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand and pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles and fill the remainder with water to weigh them down. Place them in your toilet tank, safely away from operating mechanisms. In the average home, these bottles may displace and save 20 or more litres of water a day
- Take shorter showers - Long, hot showers can waste 10 to 20 litres of water every unneeded minute
- Install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors - Most local hardware or plumbing supply stores stock inexpensive water-saving showerheads or restrictors that are easy to install
- Take baths - A bath in a partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest shower
- Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth
- Rinse your razor in the sink - Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water; this will rinse your blade just as well as running water
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| Kitchen and Laundry Tips |
- Use your automatic dishwasher and washing machines for full loads only - If you plan on purchasing a new appliance, invest in one that is high efficiency
- If you hand wash your dishes, don't leave the water running for rinsing - If you have two sinks, fill one will soapy water and the other with water for rinsing; if you only have one sink, consider gathering washed dishes in a dish rack and rinsing them with a kitchen tap spray device or a pot full of water
- Don't let the faucet run while washing vegetable - Rinse them in a stopper sink or a pan/bowl full of clean water
- Keep a jug of drinking water in the refrigerator - Running the tap for a cold glass of water is wasteful
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| Outdoor Tips |
- Water your lawn ONLY when necessary - A good indication if your lawn needs water is to step on the grass, if the grass springs back up when you remove your foot, it does not need water. If the grass stays flat, then fetch the sprinkler
- Deep soak your lawn - When you do water your lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will be most beneficial. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems
- Water during the cooler parts of the day - Early morning generally is better than dusk since it helps to prevent the growth of fungus
- Don't water the gutter - Position your sprinkler so the water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also, avoid watering on windy days
- Plant drought resistant trees and plants - Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less watering than other species
- Use a broom, not a hose to clean your driveway and walkways
- Don't run the hose while washing your car - Clean the car with a pail of soapy water, then use the hose to rinse it off
- Tell your children not to play with the hose and sprinklers
- Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings outside - Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad because they are not visible; however, they can be just as wasteful as leaks within the home. Check frequently and keep them drip free
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants - Mulch slows the evaporation of moisture and discourages weed growth
- Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater that can be used for watering gardens
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Use this tool to estimate water waste and learn how much water you could be saving: Water Wise Drip Calculator - American Water Works Association.
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