City Services - Water - Conservation Tips [ previous screen ]
Water Conservation Indoors
Shorten your shower. Even
a one or two minute reduction can save up
to 700 gal./mo.
Use low-flow shower heads
or flow restrictors in regular shower heads
(saves 500-800 gal. each month).
When you can, take a shallow
bath instead of a shower (saves 15-20 gal.
each time).
Put bathroom trash in the
wastebasket and cigarettes in the ashtray
instead of flushing them down the toilet
(saves 400-600 gal./mo.)
Check toilet for leaks by
dropping dye tablets or food colouring into
the tank. If colour appears in the bowl without
flushing, there's a leak that should be repaired
(saves 200 gal./mo.) It is not uncommon to
lose up to 100 gallons a day through a leaking
toilet.
Turn off the water while brushing
your teeth (saves 3 gal. each day).
Rinse your razor with short
blasts of water or by swishing it in a partially-filled
sink instead of running the water while you
shave (save 3 gal. each day).
While you wait for hot water
to come down the pipes, catch the flow in
a watering can to use later on house plants
or garden (saves l 00-300 gal./mo.)
Fix leaking faucets and plumbing
joints (saves 20 gal./day per leak).
Run only full loads in the
washing machine and dishwasher (saves 75-200
gal./week).
Keep a bottle in the refrigerator
for drinking instead of running the tap for
cold water (save 200-300 gal./mo.)
Defrost frozen foods without
running water over the packages. Either plan
ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator
overnight or defrost them in the microwave
(saves 50-150 gal./mo.)
Rinse vegetables in a filled
sink or pan instead of under running water
(saves 150-250 gal./mo.)
Be
Leak Seeker
Checking your home for leaks can save you
money on your water bill. Leaks, unseen
or ignored, can result in hundreds, even
thousands, of gallons of water wasted. Leaks
at faucets are usually obvious and should
be repaired as soon as possible.
Leaks cost you money
2010 Rates
A hole this size wastes 0.77 m³ (170 gallons) in 24 hours
23.1 M3/month - $50.40 water and sewage
A hole this size wastes 4.41 m³ (970 gallons) in 24 hours
132.3 M3/month - $293.37 water and sewage
A hole this size wastes 16.27 m³ (3600 gallons) in 24 hours
488 M3/month - $1085.80 water and sewage
How to check for leaks
8 Hour Test
To perform a test on your entire household
plumbing system, read your meter at some
time during the day or night when water
will not be used for at least the next eight
hours. Record the reading. At the end of
the eight hour period, reread the water
meter and compare the reading to the original
reading. If the readings are identical,
your household plumbing system has no leaks.
If the readings are different and no water
has been used, this confirms that you have
a plumbing leak and you should proceed to
identify the plumbing fixture(s) that is
the source of that leak.
Dye Test - Toilets
Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks;
undetected they can waste hundreds of gallons
per day. These leaks occur when
the toilet is out of adjustment or when
parts become worn, so it is important to
check periodically.
Most toilet leaks occur at the overflow
pipe or at the plunger ball. If it's at
the overflow, the water level is too high,
although sometimes the overflow pipe may
leak below the water level. Plunger ball
leaks are not easily spotted. The toilet
can be checked for leaks by performing a
dye test. Either use food colouring or dye
test tablets, dye test tablets for toilets
are available at various hardware and plumbing
stores. To perform a dye test, place the
tablet or a few drops of food colouring
in the toilet tank. Do not flush. Wait and
observe for 10-15 minutes. If the colour
seeps through into the toilet bowl, this
indicates a leak. In the case of a leak,
the plunger ball either needs replacing
or the flapper is out of alignment. If you
are an experienced do-it-yourselfer you
can make the necessary repairs or adjustments.
Otherwise call a plumber.
Other sources of leaks
Inspect any fixtures that are connected to your water supply including:
Instead of running sprinklers every
day, water lawn only when it needs it or just give it a good soak once a
week. If the grass springs back when you step on it, there's no need to
water (saves 750-1500 gal./mo.).
Mulch (chunks of bark, peat moss,
or gravel) covers bare ground in gardens and around trees with tasteful
good looks, discourages weeds, helps keep the ground from overheating, and
holds moisture and slows down evaporation (saves 750 gal./mo.)
If you have a pool, use a pool
cover to cut down on evaporation. It will also keep your pool cleaner and
reduce the need to add chemicals (saves 1300 gal./mo.)
Water the lawn in the early morning
or evening when there's less evaporation (saves 300 gal./mo.). Plant drought-resistant
native trees and plants (saves 750-1500 gal./mo.). Adjust your sprinklers
so they don't water the sidewalk, driveway and street (saves 500 gal./mo.)
Skip watering the lawn on a windy day when there's too much evaporation
(saves 200-300 gal. each time).
Cut down watering on cool, over-cast
or rainy days. Adjust or deactivate automatic sprinklers (saves 200-300
gal. each time).
Set lawn mower blades 1 notch higher
since longer grass means less evaporation (save 500-1500 gal./mo.)
Sweep driveways, patios and sidewalks
instead of using the hose every time you clean them. Ask your gardener to
do the same (saves 150 gal. or more each time).
If you let your children play in
the sprinklers, make sure it's only when you're also watering the yard.
Wash your car using a bucket of
water and a quick hose rinse at the end instead of letting the hose run
continuously (saves 150 gal. each time).
Turn the empty water glass upside
down in a restaurant if you don't want water. Not only will you save the
water you don't drink, you'll also save the water used to wash the glass
(collectively, saves millions of gal./year).
Will What I Do Really Make A Difference?
Yes, it will! Our environmental problems are the result
of a thousand small things we do every day. What seem like small changes
in our lifestyles, buying habits and ways of thinking are actually the only
lasting solutions to these problems. And when we each do a little, it quickly
adds up to a lot, especially related to water.
By taking action on water efficiency, each citizen will
reflect the universal concerns for a secure water supply, a healthy environment
and sound fiscal management. Water management is key to the future of your
municipality. The time to show leadership is now.
Take the Quiz
We've put together a little quiz to test
your knowledge of energy and water saving facts. Some of these ideas are discussed
on other pages on this website. We think you'll enjoy taking the test, and
hope it points you in the right direction to find out more about saving money
and resources in your home!
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