UPDATED: Conservation of Water

View of Edmonton and the North Saskatchewan River from Hardisty Drive (Edmonton, Alberta, CA)

Water is a limited source and with the growth of the city around us and various environmental issues, there is an increasing demand for long-term water supply.

Your monthly utility bill shows you how much water your household consumes throughout a particular month. Tracking water consumption month to month is helpful to monitor any household trends and keep an eye on any indication of leaks. By taking simple actions to conserve water, you can reduce your monthly use and therefore, decrease your monthly utility bill.

• It’s a good idea to check for leaks on a regular basis. Inspect toilets, showerheads and faucets consistently to catch leaks before they become a bigger problem.

• Use water efficient fixtures (toilets, shower heads and faucets etc.) which use less water but provide the same or sometimes improved, level of performance compared to older models. Install an aerator on your faucets while you’re at it!

  In 2008. the City of Edmonton introduced a Water Efficient Fixtures Bylaw which requires all new residential and commercial construction as well as any existing building undergoing renovations that require a plumbing permit, to install water efficient fixtures. This can include toilets, urinals, faucets, shower heads and cooling systems.

• Replace an old dishwasher with a low water use dishwasher - this will help add to the household conservation of water. Also installing a front load, low water use washer in the utility room will help use at least 50% less water than those older top loading models.

  Look for the Energy Star when you’re shopping for newer appliances. Energy Star rated washing machines and dishwashers use less energy and water than regular washer. The Energy Star rating means a product meets strict energy requirements. The EnerGuide label that is on the machine will show the annual energy the appliance will consume under average operation.

• Collect rain water using a rain barrel, which you can then use to water your lawn and garden. There are a number of other ways to keep your garden growing using water and waste reducing techniques: composting, mulching, grasscycling to name a few. With all of this rain we’ve been having, it’s easy to do!

• Be aware of what goes down your drain. Since everything that goes down the drain, drains into the North Saskatchewan River, it’s a wise idea to keep out the yucky stuff. The City of Edmonton’s River for Life has useful information on how you can keep the river healthy.

With increased human consumption, drought and pollution, water is becoming a challenge throughout the world. It’s up to us to utilize water reducing practices in order to play our part in conserving such a valuable resource.