11 Essential Water Conservation Tips for Summer
As summer heats up, so does our water usage. Whether it's maintaining a garden, filling pools, or just keeping our homes cool and hydrated, the demand for water spikes dramatically. This can lead to higher utility bills and a significant impact on our local water resources. In this blog post, we'll explore 12 crucial tips to help you conserve water during the hot summer months, ensuring you can enjoy the season responsibly while saving both money and the environment.
Why is Water Conservation Important?
Water conservation is crucial for saving on monthly bills and ensuring sustainable water management, especially in summer when usage can easily double. Canada has one of the highest per capita water usage rates globally, with the average daily domestic use at 251 liters (Environment Canada). Approximately 65% of household water consumption occurs in the bathroom, mainly through toilet flushing and bathing. Kitchens account for about 10%, and laundry for approximately 20% (Environment Canada, Water Efficiency Master Plan).
By updating fixtures and changing habits, households can reduce water use by over 40% without affecting their lifestyle (Environment Canada). Additionally, reducing water usage prevents pollution in nearby lakes, rivers, and local watersheds.
1. Schedule Smart Irrigation
Implementing a smart irrigation system not only leads to significant water savings but also enhances the health of your garden. By adjusting watering schedules based on real-time weather conditions, these systems prevent overwatering and underwatering, which is crucial during variable summer weather. Early morning or late evening watering further ensures that water does more for your plants and less evaporates into the air. “In cities like Toronto, computerised and properly designed irrigation systems are being used to optimise water needs of landscape features and to halt watering during or after rainfall and if rain is forecast.” These smart irrigation systems have helped apartment complexes, condominiums and households drastically reduce outdoor water levels. Read about Toronto’s Water Efficiency plan.
2. Mulch Your Gardens
Mulching is beneficial for retaining soil moisture and reducing the frequency of water applications. By covering the soil with organic materials like wood chips or straw, you also improve soil quality and suppress weed growth, which competes with your plants for water. This can be particularly valuable during hot spells when evaporation rates are high. “Water wise” is a term widely used in landscape and gardening literature to describe practices that help reduce water requirements. The City of Vancouver has promoted mulching in public gardens, resulting in a 40% reduction in water use for landscaping. Check out this video on How to mulch your yard.
3. Collect and Use Rainwater
Rainwater harvesting reduces your reliance on municipal water supplies and provides your plants with chemical-free water that's better for their growth. Using barrels to collect rainwater during downpours captures this precious resource, which can then be used for various outdoor purposes, from gardening to washing your car, making it an environmentally sound practice. In Victoria, BC, rainwater collection systems have become popular, with households saving thousands of litres of water annually. The City offers incentives for properties managing rainwater sustainably, helping communities use rain as a resource and mimicking natural water systems.
4. Choose Native Plants
Native or drought-resistant plants are optimal for reducing landscape water use. These species are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring much less water compared to non-native varieties. They also require less maintenance and provide habitat for local wildlife, enhancing your garden's biodiversity. The Calgary Horticultural Society’s Executive Director, Deborah Maier, advocates for the use of native plants, noting a 50% reduction in water use among participating households. “You want to pick plants where they aren’t rainwater or water divas. They don’t benefit from this kind of environment.”
Gardening in Calgary for decades, Maier has found that spring moisture is very important.
“It makes them more resistant to low water periods throughout the rest of the growing season.” Watering deeper into the ground can also help plants develop a good root system, making them more drought-tolerant.
5. Put a Plastic Bottle in Your Toilet Tank
Placing a filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank displaces water, reducing the amount used with each flush without affecting the flushing power. This is an easy, cost-effective method to conserve water in one of the most frequently used fixtures in your home, potentially saving thousands of gallons per year. This simple hack has been adopted widely across Canada, contributing to significant household water savings. See how this works and how you can potentially save thousands of litres of water every year with this simple method.
6. Repair Leaks Promptly
Addressing leaks promptly in your home's plumbing system can prevent a significant amount of water waste. A leaky faucet or pipe can waste gallons of water daily, adding up to a substantial amount over time. Regular maintenance checks can help catch and fix these issues before they escalate. Toronto Water's Fix the Leak program has helped residents save millions of liters of water by promoting timely repairs over the years.
To be proactive about protecting your home from water damage, consider using the GROHE Sense Guard. This smart home water leak detector continuously monitors water pressure in the pipes, detecting every anomaly from minor leaks to a major burst. The moment a pipe burst is detected, the water supply is automatically shut off, and an alert is sent to your smartphone, allowing you to take immediate action and avoid costly repairs.
7. Reuse Grey Water
Installing a grey water system allows you to reuse water from showers, sinks, and laundry, which can then be used for garden irrigation. This not only saves fresh water but also makes use of an otherwise wasted resource. When implementing such systems, choosing eco-friendly and plant-safe soaps is essential to ensure the health of your garden. Grey water systems have been particularly effective in arid regions, helping to reduce household water consumption by up to 40%. Read more about reusing grey water here.
8. Install Water-Efficient Fixtures
Switching to water efficient fixtures can lead to substantial water savings in the home. These fixtures are designed to use less water while maintaining effective performance, which is key in reducing overall household water consumption. For example, installing low-flow showerheads and faucets in your home can reduce water usage by 20-30%. In Canada, rebates are often available for installing such water-efficient fixtures. To learn more about low-flow, water-efficient fixtures,talk to our knowledgeable staff at Dupont Plumbing Supplies. We’d be happy to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have about the same.
Take a look at Brizo’s Odin collection of bath fixtures that pairs a clean Scandinavian design with a wealth of leading-edge water-efficient technologies.
9. Wash Full Loads
Maximizing the efficiency of your water use can also be achieved by running your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are fully loaded. This practice ensures that every cycle is used to its full potential, reducing the number of cycles needed per week and saving water. Another way to reduce water use is to do fewer loads of laundry or choose shorter cycles. An average Canadian household can save up to 13,000 litres of water annually.
10. Take Shorter Showers
Promoting shorter showers among household members is an effective strategy to curtail water usage. Installing low-flow showerheads equipped with timers further encourages water conservation by limiting shower durations. By adopting these measures, households not only reduce water consumption but also cultivate awareness of resource conservation. Encouraging mindful shower habits contributes to sustainable living practices, conserving water resources for present and future generations while promoting responsible water usage within the household.
11. Educate Your Family
Water conservation can become a more effective family endeavour when everyone is involved. Teaching family members about the importance of conserving water and demonstrating simple ways to save, like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, can have a large impact on your household's overall water usage.
FAQs
Q.How can I check for leaks in my home?
A. You can check for leaks by monitoring your water meter before and after a period of no water use. If the meter reading changes, you likely have a leak. Inspect faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems for visible signs of leaks.
Q.What are the benefits of using a drip irrigation system?
A. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the plant roots, reducing evaporation and runoff. This method can save up to 50% more water compared to traditional sprinklers and promotes healthier plant growth.
Q.How can I make my lawn more water-efficient?
A. You can make your lawn more water-efficient by watering during the cooler parts of the day, using a rain sensor to prevent overwatering, and replacing part of your lawn with drought-resistant plants or ground cover.
Q. Are low-flow fixtures worth the investment?
A. Yes, low-flow fixtures are worth the investment as they significantly reduce water usage and lower your utility bills. WaterSense-labelled products, for example, are designed to use at least 20% less water without compromising performance. Talk to our staff today to learn more about installing low-flow fixtures in your home. Book an appointment today.
Q.How does mulch help conserve water in the garden?
A. Mulch helps conserve water by reducing evaporation, maintaining soil moisture, and suppressing weed growth. Organic mulch also improves soil health over time, which can further enhance water retention .
Q.What types of native plants are best for water conservation?
A. The best types of native plants for water conservation vary by region. Generally, look for plants that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, such as succulents, wildflowers, and grasses native to your area.
Conclusion
By implementing these 11 essential water conservation tips, you can enjoy a greener, more sustainable summer. Small changes can make a significant impact on our water usage and help preserve this vital resource for future generations. These tips provide actionable steps every household can take to reduce water usage during the hot summer months. By implementing even a few of these strategies, you can enjoy savings while contributing to sustainable water management.
Ready to take the next step in water efficiency? Visit Dupont Plumbing Supplies to explore our range of water-conserving fixtures and systems, perfect for an eco-friendly home upgrade!
