For those of you that live in the City of Toronto you are probably aware by now that the City is currently installing automated water meters in all households. The new system will ensure that each household will be paying for the water that they actually use as opposed to the old system which was a flat rate that didn’t reflect actual usage at all. The water meters are free and the program is mandatory.
At any time it’s a good idea to go easy on water usage and to conserve as much as possible. Now that you’ll be paying for each ounce you use it’s probably a good time to brush up on your water conservation and efficiency knowledge! Below you will find some do’s and don’ts of how to save water that the City of Toronto has put together, hope they help!
Do regularly inspect your home for leaks and fix them. Monitor your new automated water meter — if the meter is running when you are not using water, you have a leak! Whether it’s a new washer for your faucet or a flapper valve for your toilet, leaks are often very simple and inexpensive to repair.
Do install water-efficient toilets, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
Do keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge to avoid waiting for cold running water. Be sure to clean and dry it every few days.
Do use a high-efficiency front loading washing machine.
Do water your lawn in the morning to reduce water lost to evaporation.
Do keep your mower blades sharp to avoid tearing the grass and keep the clippings on your lawn to keep moisture in the soil.
Do plant a water efficient garden and use a rain barrel for any water that is required.
Do repair and retrofit your home to be more water efficient.
Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth or preparing food.
Don’t turn the tap full blast when washing hands or brushing teeth.
Don’t run the dishwasher and washing machine until they’re full.
Don’t use a toilet as a waste basket or flush it unnecessarily.
Don’t over water your lawn. Healthy lawns only need 2.5 cm of water once a week, including rain fall.
Don’t mow your lawn until your grass has reached a height of 11 cm, then mow it back down to 7.5 cm. to encourage deep, drought tolerant roots.