5 Ways to Conserve Water
Learn about water conservation, including how to cut back on your household water consumption, tips on saving water, and more. From fixing leaks to changing your shower head, cutting back on water consumption has never been so easy.
Water Waste Quick Facts
Canadians have access to the most freshwater in the world, yet according to a 2016 study by McGill University, Canadians use 329 litres of water per person, per day!
The study also found:
- 65 percent of water wasted is used in the bathroom.
- Toilets use 30 percent of our daily water usage, while bathing and showering takes up 35 percent of it.
- Showering* uses 76 L of water, meanwhile a full bath uses 150 L or more, depending on the size of tub.
- A faucet that drips six drops per minute loses 1200 L of water annually.
1. Fix Leaks
The first step in conserving water is making sure you don’t have any leaks in your plumbing. Check your water meter’s leak indicator to see if it is moving, inspect for any water damage on ceilings or floors, or simply look under bathroom, kitchen, and laundry sinks to ensure it is dry.
If you notice your taps are leaking in your bathtub or sink, it is important to get them fixed right away. It may seem small, but a dripping faucet is one of the biggest culprits of water waste.
2. Install a Rain Barrel
A rain barrel is a unique way to conserve water in your household. It encourages recycling water, as well as reduces the need to use drinking water for garden irrigation. Simply place the rain barrel in your backyard or front porch underneath a downspout. The next time it rains, you’ll have more than enough water to use to nourish your plants. On some rain barrels, there is a slow release valve that gradually emits the storm water into the ground, allowing it to soak into the soil which supplies water to local streams between rainfall.
3. Use a Low-Flow Shower Head
Without even realizing, taking a shower can use up a lot of your household’s water. The solution: a low-flow shower head. They are the perfect way to save water consumer in your house. Low-flow shower heads use less than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), which not only cuts back on water consumption, but it will cut back on your water bill too! Some models come with a cut-off valve that allows you to stop the flow of water, reducing the amount of water used each time you shower.
It is easy to lose track of time while you’re showering, so consider purchasing a timer that will remind you when you’re 15 minutes is up!
4. Invest in a Low-Flush Toilet
Low-flush, or high-efficiency, toilets will you save you a ton of water, and you’ll barely notice a difference. These toilets use 1.3 gallons per flush compared to the standard 1.6 gallons per flush. In the past low-flush models would require several flushes, which defeated the purpose of this efficient model. Thankfully, later models include features like pressure-based mechanisms, jet-powered siphonic flushing, and a dual flushing option for convenience and conservation.
5. Turn Off Your Faucet While You're Brushing Your Teeth
Who knew something so simple could save so much water? The act of simply turning off the tap between wetting your toothbrush and rinsing your mouth can save a family up to 10 gallons of water every day. Try rinsing your mouth with a cup of water, rather than filling your hands. You can even experiment with how much water you need, until you're filling your cup with the exact amount of water needed to rinse your mouth.
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