TAP INTO HOW MUCH WATER YOU’RE USING
World Water Day just went past us on March 22, a day meant to focus on the importance of water — how we use it, how we build with it, and how we waste it. I’ve made an effort to be more conscious of my personal water use and do my best to incorporate conservation around my home. Is it on the top of your mind? It should be — we don’t have an infinite supply of drinking water, so we need to protect it.
Did you know that this year was the 25th anniversary of World Water Day? That’s almost as long as I’ve been working as a contractor.
I’m still trying to change the industry for the better, to make it so that we’re building using more sustainable products, and utilizing greener building techniques.
And so when I thought about World Water Day, I was thinking about how we as builders and homeowners have to find ways to reduce our reliance on water that’s been treated for consumption, and make smarter decisions when it comes to our everyday water usage.
LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Smart landscaping can go a long way to reduce your reliance on our water systems. It’s all about making the right choices. I get the appeal of a great looking yard: a big green lawn, blooming gardens, and tall trees can really make your yard shine. But to keep your yard thriving, it’s going to take water — and lots of it. And what if it hasn’t rained in a while? Don’t be surprised if you see your neighbours turning on their sprinklers.
What are some smart ways we can treat our yards? Well, one option is to let Mother Nature run her course. If it rains, your lawn and gardens are fed; if it doesn’t, they stay dry. But personally, I’m a big fan of collecting our rainwater and reusing it using cisterns or rain barrels.
Cisterns can take a lot of the pressure off our municipal water systems.
Cisterns are large tanks that can be placed above or below ground that can collect water for immediate use and storage. Rain may be unpredictable, but once you’ve got your storage system in place, it will passively collect rain as it falls, giving you a renewable source of water to keep your yard looking great.
If you’re not sure where to place your cistern or rain barrel, a good landscaper can help you find the perfect spot on your property to maximize its efficiency.
For those of you who do like to stretch your green thumb, plant things that are native to your area and climate. They’ll require less active maintenance to keep strong, and may even provide a source of food and shelter to some of our local wildlife who need it.
LOW-FLOW FIXTURES
A large percentage of the average Canadian’s water usage happens in the washroom. If you’re going to focus on water efficiency in your home, the bathroom is a good place to start.
Using more efficient plumbing fixtures can make a big dent on your daily personal water usage. Efficient shower heads can reduce our water usage to around five litres per minute, a huge savings.
Make the switch to highefficiency toilets. On average, we use the toilet about five times per day.
High-efficiency units use a little over a gallon (4.5 L) per flush, which is a huge difference compared to some older models that use five to seven gallons (22.5 to 31.5 L) per flush. Multiply that number by five, and then multiply that by your number of family members. Now you see that it’s smart to make the switch, right?
Check any fixtures for leaks. A leaky tap adds up to a lot of wasted water throughout the year. And when brushing your teeth, get into the habit of turning the tap off. You can save up to six litres of water per brush by making this simple switch. It really is that easy.
We need to make better decisions about our water usage. We need to think about how we use it, and take steps to protect it. It’s on all of us to keep our most necessary resource available for the next generation.