Search annapolisriver.ca
Questions? Email: carp@annapolisriver.ca
Follow CARP:  
Become Involved
CARP is always looking for volunteers. Please let us know your area of interest and we will try to get you involved!
Learn More
Water Friendly Living / Water Conservation
For most people, water is something that is taken for granted. All we have to do is turn on a tap and there is a seemingly endless supply. As Canadians, we waste a lot of water! The average Canadian uses 1,600 m3 of water every year (Boyd, 2001). This is more than twice as much water as the average person from France, three times as much as the average German, almost four times as much as the average Swede and more than eight times as much as the average Dane (Boyd, 2001). Processing all that water is an expensive proposition, especially for those of us who operate our own water and sewage disposal systems.


Water use in a typical household
One reason that water conservation is not standard practice in every home is that most people think that to conserve water, one has to spend thousands of dollars on water saving devices. Another reason is people think that conserving water is a time consuming chore and do not want to be bothered by the hassle. The exact opposite is true.

Saving water is as simple as taking a shorter shower, or keeping a bottle of water in the fridge. Buying new devices does help, but making a conscious effort is all that is really needed to reduce the use of water.

Conserving water not only helps the environment, but it also helps the checkbook. Think about it. If you use less water, you are not running your pump, or hot water heater as much. They both use electricity. Over one year, the average household could save hundreds of dollars on there electricity bill, just by conserving water.

Water conservation makes cents!

 Water Facts
  1. Hot water for showers, laundry and washing dishes uses energy, in fact some 20% of the typical energy bill.
  2. Install an energy efficient shower head that provides a foamy, invigorating shower while using about half as much water. This will save the average family of four up to 40% a year on energy costs.
  3. A typical family of four consumes between 200 and 240 litres of water a day, which translates into about $460.00 on your annual power bill.
  4. About 75% of indoor water consumption in our home occurs in the bathroom, where the toilet is the single greatest water-user.
  5. Regularly check toilets, pipes and faucets for leaks and repair immediately. One small leak can waste thousands or litres a year.
Conservation Tips

It is important for people who rely on a septic system to know that less water will prolong the working life of the system. It also means a margin of safety for your water supply, by lessening the chance of contaminants entering the water table from an overloaded septic system.

A few water friendly habits will save you thousands of litres of water each year.

Throughout the Home
  1. Use flow-reducer attachments on faucets and shower heads to minimize water use and wastage.
  2. Turn faucets off gently but tightly so they do not drip and repair any leaks promptly. One small leak can waste thousands of litres of water each year.
  3. Insulate your water heater and pipes to reduce wastage involved in waiting for hot water.
  4. Consider water-saving devices when purchasing new fixtures.
In the Bathroom
  1. One or two weighted 2-litre pop bottles may be placed in the toilet tank to reduce water use by up to 30 percent.
  2. Flush only when necessary.
  3. Check regularly for leaks into the toilet bowl and for leaks at the base of toilet also. Repair any leaks promptly.
  4. Shave by filling the basin, instead of letting the water run continuously.
  5. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and use short bursts of water for rinsing.
  6. A quick shower uses less hot water than a bath in a full tub. If you have a bath don't overfill the tub; 1/3 full should be enough.
  7. If you're taking a bath, fill using the hot water valve then adjust the tempature using the cold water.
  8. Never use the toilet as a wastebasket for tissue, paints, solvents, etc.
In the Kitchen
  1. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge. That way, you don't have to let your tap run to get cold water when you want a drink.
  2. Fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use from 35 to 45 litres per cycle. Washing by hand uses about the same, each time you wash, so use the dishwasher once a day and save.
  3. Clean fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink, and rinse them quickly.

References

Boyd, D. (2001). Canada vs. The OCED: An Environmental Comparison. Retrieved November 20, 2008 from http://www.environmentalindicators.com/htdocs/about.htm
Bookmark this Site Email to a Friend Make Us Your Homepage