Are you looking for ways to reduce your water bill? Consider some of these water conservation tips, and avoid sending unnecessary water - and money - down the drain.
Water Conservation Tips
In Ontario, the greatest water uses in an average home are:
- Toilet (45%)
- Showers (30%)
- Laundry (20%)
- Drinking and cooking (5%)
Here are some tips and tricks to help households reduce water consumption.
Reduce
Be aware of your water use, and consider ways to use less.
Around the House
- Turn off the tap when brushing teeth.
- Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap to get cold water.
- Wash your fruit and vegetables in a pan instead of running water from the tap.
- Don’t use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and save up 550L per week.
Outside Water Conservation
- Cut grass to a higher level (5-8cm). Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass.
- Avoid children’s recreational water toys that requires a constant flow of water. Consider a small kiddie pool instead.
- Water vegetable gardens in the morning or evening, near the roots, and by hand.
- Install a rain barrel (with proper mosquito screening) and use it to water your lawn and plants.
- Follow Middlesex Centre's alternate day summer water restrictions when watering your lawn.
Repair
Locate and repair leaks to save water, money and to prevent potentially costly property damage.
- Check for toilet leaks: Add a few drops of food colouring into the toilet tanks and wait a few minutes. If, without flushing, the colour appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
- Check for leaks in pipes and fittings: A leak of only one drop per second wastes up to 10,000L of water annually.
- Review our Detecting Water Leaks Checklist for detailed information on identifying leaks in your home.
Retrofit
Install water saving devices on existing on existing fixtures. Select water efficient devices when replacing older, water guzzling fixtures and appliances.
- Low-flow shower head can save up to 7.5L of water per minute.
- Faucet aerator can reduce water use by 25%.
- Older toilets use about 20L per flush. Consider installing a low-flow toilet, which typical use only 6L per flush.
Summer Outdoor Watering Restrictions
Alternate day outdoor watering restrictions are in place for the period of June 1 to September 15 every year:
- Properties with even numbered addresses may water ONLY on even number calendar days.
- Properties with odd numbered address may water ONLY on odd number calendar days.
- Gardens, flower beds, trees and shrubs may be watered daily by use of hand held hose ONLY.
- Newly sodded or newly seeded lawns may be watered daily for a two-week period (note that the same water rates apply and there are no ‘rebates' on water fees for new sod installations).
These water conservation measures are included in the municipality's Water By-Law.