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Clean Water
For me. For you. Forever |
At home
Here are just a few simple ways you can conserve and protect water right in your own home — and save on your water bills at the same time.
Install low-flow faucets and shower heads
These inexpensive replacements can reduce the amount of water you use in your shower by up to 50%. Shorter showers and only filling the bath halfway can also save water.
Make sure your dishwasher is full before use
Your dishwasher uses just as much water full or empty.
Same goes for your washing machine
Fill your washing machine to its maximum recommended load or select reduced water volumes for smaller loads.
Don’t be a drip
Fix leaks and drips. A tap dripping at 30 drops per minute adds up to about 250 litres per month.
Turn off the tap
 Over 30% of household water used is flushed down the toilet. |
Don’t leave the water running when you wash dishes, brush your teeth or shave. Put a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap for a cold drink.
Install a low-flush toilet
If you’re renovating or repairing your toilet, consider a low-flush toilet — it dramatically reduces water use. Standard toilets use 40% more water than low-flush toilets.
Install a toilet dam
A toilet dam or even a water-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank will reduce the amount of water used every time you flush.
Recycle
The less waste we put in landfills, the less chance it has to get into our groundwater, lakes and streams.
Properly dispose of hazardous household waste
Paints, chemicals and household cleaners should not be disposed of with other household waste or ever flushed or poured down the drain. Contact your local hazardous waste disposal agency for instructions.
In your yard
Use fertilizer sparingly on grass and gardens
Follow manufacturers’ instructions or excess fertilizer may end up in the water supply.
Limit pesticide use
Pesticides are chemicals and their use can contaminate water—use sparingly.
Compost your kitchen and garden waste and use it instead of fertilizer
Compost is the natural way to fertilize. It’s free and an economical way to recycle organic waste.
Clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in the trash
Pet waste belongs in the trash, not on the grass where it can contaminate surface or groundwater.
At the cottage, beach and campsite
Protect or enhance your shoreline
Don’t remove trees, rocks or shrubs from the shoreline. They help protect against pollution and erosion.
Don’t carry aquatic plants or animals from one water body to another
Inspect your boat before moving it and make sure it’s clean of aquatic plants and animals.
Empty your bait bucket on land before leaving a water body
Bait found at one river or lake should not be used in another. Every ecosystem is unique and fragile.
Don’t use fertilizers or pesticides within 30 metres of the shoreline
They can run into the water and create excessive growth of algae and water plants.
Use phosphate-free soaps and detergents at the cottage
Phosphates are nutrients that can cause excessive growth of algae and water plants.
Never bury garbage or waste near a lake or stream
Harmful pollutants may eventually get into the water. Take your garbage with you or dispose of it in appropriate receptacles.
Have regular maintenance performed on your septic field or holding tank
Inspect and repair your cottage septic field or tank regularly.
Don’t overfill your boat’s fuel tank
Spilled fuel or oil from overfull tanks is toxic to aquatic plants and fish.
On your land
Do not overuse fertilizers and pesticides
Follow the manufacturers’ directions and use only when necessary. Excess fertilizers can run into our lakes and rivers. Too much fertilizer causes overgrowth of algae and water plants and can even make water supplies toxic to people, fish and wildlife.
Drain water away from wells
Ensure that surface pollution and animal waste drains away from your well to prevent contamination.
Properly seal old wells
Ensure that old wells do not become a source of contamination to your groundwater.
Repair leaking septic fields
Leaking septic tanks are a major cause of groundwater contamination. Have yours inspected regularly.
Consider using a holding tank instead of a septic field
Holding tanks are emptied regularly and the waste is taken to a disposal site.
Repair leaking oil and fuel tanks
Leaking oil and fuel tanks can contaminate soil as well as water. Inspect and repair as required.