Nature Canada

To Ration or Not To Ration? Home Water Tips from Our Community


Our June Quick Poll asked whether municipalities should ration homeowner water use during the summer. Over 70% of respondents believed that municipal rationing should take place, as we need to conserve our water resources; an additional 20% of survey participants believed that municipal water should be rationed during times of drought.

If you were to list the everyday tasks that require water, you might be surprised at the length. Water also goes into the food we eat and the products we use at home.

Fresh water is becoming a greater concern as more and more of our sources are found to contain chemicals and other contaminants, even after treatment at waste water facilities. These toxins spread in the environment and are re-introduced into our own systems.

Reducing our water use lessens the burden on municipal water facilities, enabling them to perform better and ensuring clean water for the future. Respondents to our survey shared these tips for using less water at home:

    • Fix leaks in a timely fashion; until the leak is fixed, collect the drips in a pail and use the water for the plants in your garden that need it.
    • Time your water use: take shorter showers and turn off taps when they aren’t actively in use (e.g., when brushing your teeth). Install faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads so that when the water is on, less is going down the drain.
    • Set up rain barrels to collect water for your garden; water by hand in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation.
    • Consider planting drought-resistant plants (these are often species native to the area anyways) and mulch around garden beds to reduce the amount of water needed.
    • Keep a pitcher of water cold in the fridge so that you don’t have to run the tap for a refreshing drink.

 

Still not convinced? This response reminds us that going green can have additional benefits:

“We started collecting rain water for our garden and grass watering needs. It is great! Our lawn has never looked better, we save on our water use and shrink our water bill. It’s a win-win situation!”

If we’ve missed your favourite water conservation tip, why not share it in the comments below?

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