Water Conservation Facts and Tips

Turn off the faucet while shaving, brushing your teeth, and washing your face.
Install aerators with flow restrictors on all faucets.
Install low-flow showerheads.
Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 175 litres a week.

Install ultra-low-flush toilets.
Replace or adjust the toilet flush handle if it frequently sticks in the flush position and allows more water to run than required.
Replace the toilet flapper if the toilet consistently makes a hissing or dripping sound.
Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, then you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 2,000 litres a month. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food colouring may stain tank.)

Water the lawn during early summer mornings, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter. This will minimize evaporation.
Check the sprinkler system frequently to ensure water is not wasted on sidewalks, driveways, or other non-required areas.
Install a rain shut-off device on automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
Divide the watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption.
Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.
Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation. This will save hundreds of litres of water per year.
Collect the water used to rinse produce and re-use it to water plants.
Re-use the water when draining the fish tank to water plants. This water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for the garden.
Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
Weed the lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
Choose low-water-use plants for year-round landscape colour and save up to 2,000 litres per year.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure to only water plants when necessary.

Check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
Use a bucket, along with a sponge and hose nozzle to wash the car. This will save about 300 litres per wash.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk. This will save 300 litres of water each time.
Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater. Rainwater can be used for watering your garden or washing outside surfaces. (Rain barrels are available for Richmond residents to purchase as a subsidized price. See Rain Barrel Program for more information.)

Use a bucket for regular household cleaning as opposed to running water.
Use a new water-saving washing machine. New models can save up to 40% of water used compared to conventional models.
Run the washing machine and dishwasher only with a full load. This could save 3,700 litres per month.
Match the water level to the size of the load when doing laundry.
Fill the sink with wash water when washing dishes by hand. Do not let the water run continuously.
Wash produce in the sink or a pot filled with water instead of running water from the tap.

Insulate water pipes. You'll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water while waiting for it to heat up.
Check your quarterly water bill to track usage and get a feel of the impact of consumption habits.
Check for leaks around your pool and hot tub pumps.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
Check your pool for leaks periodically if you have an automatic refilling device.
Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save litres of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.
Do not use recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
Click here to learn how to read your water meter and possible causes of leaks.