Reducing Water and Wastewater Costs in Canada 

There are many ways to save water/wastewater costs in Canada. By implementing some changes in your home you should be able to see some cost savings on your water/wastewater bills.

1. A low-flow shower head is any shower head that reduces the water flow and therefore reduces water and water heating costs. Older shower heads can use as much as 5 gallons of water per minute. A 5 minute shower will use up 25 gallons, and a 10 minute one, 50 gallons!

2. A reduced volume toilet is a water-saving, low volume toilet or modified toilet tank including toilets specifically designed to use less water per flush as well as toilets that have been modified by, for example, adding a weighted plastic bottle in the toilet tank to reduce the volume of water in the tank.

3. Low-aeration faucets reduce water flow which also reduces water heating costs
Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush Wet your brush, use a glass of water for rinsing your brush, and only run the water when cleaning your brush after brushing.

4. When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running while rinsing dishes.

5. Don’t run the water continuously while cleaning vegetables. You can rinse them in a bowl of clean water. It will save you a lot of water usage this way.

6. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer only for full loads when possible. Doing lots of partial loads uses water each time, whereas combining loads or doing full loads you’re cutting down on the number of loads and water you use.

7. Water your lawn only when it needs it. When possible let the rain take care of your lawn. Running a sprinkler for 2 hours can use up to 500 gallons of water.

8. Washing your car. Turn off the hose between rinses, and only rinse when done washing.

9.Rainwater. If you can have a rainwater barrel or bucket to help with watering your flowers, it’s a good way to conserve water.

10. Cleaning your driveway. Use a broom rather than a hose to clean the driveway.