HOW TO BE
WATER WISE
Photo: Robert E. Moberg Films at Horsefly River
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SAVE WATER INDOORS
Use the R’s for Water, too
An easy way to remember to be Water Wise is to apply the same principles we use for waste! Here are some tips:
1. REDUCE. The first and most important step is to reduce your water use. You can use many tactics such as turning off the taps, taking shorter showers, and using a bucket instead of running water to do your cleaning. Plug the bathtub BEFORE you start filling it up so you don’t waste the cold water at the beginning - your bath will still be warm when you get in. Also, instead of running water, use a washcloth to clean your face - you will use less water and your face will feel cleaner, too.
2. REUSE. While some people install grey water catchment systems in their homes, you don’t need to get this fancy to reuse your greywater! Simply keep a clean ice cream bucket next to the kitchen sink to catch all the extra water wasted when running the tap, and use this water for other things such as refilling your pet’s water dish, cooking or cleaning. You can also keep the water used to boil veggies or pasta and reuse it to make a soup!
3. RECYCLE. If you really want to up your Water Wise game, consider recycling the rain! You can set up a rain barrel to water your indoor and outdoor plants. Rainwater is oxygen-filled, neutral in pH, and free of salts, minerals, and chlorine. You can even build your own! All you need is a barrel, a few tools, and some fittings from your local hardware store. Oliver gives us an awesome step-by-step guide on our YouTube channel.
4. REPAIR. Leaky faucets and toilets, over time, can add up to huge water wastage. Always fix leaks, and while you’re at the hardware store, consider updating your faucets to low flow versions saving thousands of litres per year.
5. RETHINK. In addition to saving water, being Water Wise means protecting our watersheds. To do this, we need to rethink everything that goes down the drain and into our environment. Use green or biodegradable cleaning products that are free from phosphates, sulfates, bleach, and petroleum - or make your own using things like baking soda or vinegar.
6. REFUSE. We can always refuse things that have a high water footprint. And one of the best things to refuse is bottled water! Every one litre of bottled water requires three litres of water to produce, not to mention the plastic waste and the carbon impacts of shipping it. For some, bottled water is the only safe source of water available to them, and that’s okay. But there are more standards in place regulating municipal tap water than bottled water, so for most of us, tap water is best.
Want more tips? Download our "17 Easy Ways to Save Water" brochure.
SAVE WATER OUTDOORS
7 Easy Tips
Outdoor uses can account for up to 50% of household water consumption, and most of this increase tends to occur in the summer, placing a strain on our aquifer. If you'd like to reduce your summertime water use outdoors, here are some options to consider:
1. USE A BROOM. Sweeping up outdoors instead of using a hose will save an average of 35 litres for every minute not running the hose.
2. USE A BUCKET. Washing your car with a sponge and bucket, instead of a running hose could save up to 400 litres for each wash.
3. INCREASE YOUR GRASS LENGTH. Letting grass grow a little longer and not cutting it too short will allow it to hold more water. Many people in the area also mow around their clover which requires less water and is great for pollinators.
4. HARVEST THE RAIN. By installing a rainwater catchment system, you can drastically reduce your use of city water resources. We have some great videos on our YouTube channel on how to build one yourself and set it up.
5. REDUCE YOUR WATERING. Most lawns only require an inch of water per week to stay healthy and green. Reduce your watering to 30 minutes twice per week, and that'll give you your inch. Using a timer helps! And don’t forget to follow municipal watering guidelines. Alternatively, you can choose to water only when needed, and here's a good test: grass that bounces back when stepped on isn't dry and doesn't need watering just yet.
6. USE GREYWATER. Keep a small bucket next to the kitchen sink to capture running water that would normally be wasted - such as when rinsing produce - and use it to water your flowers. You can also save your potato, pasta or boiled vegetable water - a lot of plants love the nutrients this provides. Some of our followers even report using coffee, tea, fishtank water, and kiddy pool water!
7. INSTALL DRIP IRRIGATION. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots allowing you to use much less. These can be used in combination with rain barrels and timers to really up your game. Here’s a short video on the topic.
PROTECT OUR WATERSHEDS
4 Things You Can Do
Everything we put down the drain, onto the ground, and into the air becomes part of the water we use.
01
Protect watersheds - and wildlife! - by ensuring your lawn is free from herbicides and pesticides.
Make your own lawn care products. Try natural solutions like vinegar and dish soap for herbicide and hot peppers or garlic for pests. You can find lots of options online.
02
Always dispose of toxins such as paint, oil, and gas properly rather than pouring them down storm drains that often lead to fish-bearing streams.
You can check the Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Recyclepedia for drop-off locations near you: rcbc.ca/recyclepedia or 1-800-667-4321.
03
Wash your car on the grass or other permeable surface. Washing your car on pavement (road, driveway or sidewalk) causes runoff water which picks up toxins and washes them down storm drains.
Bonus: washing your car on your lawn waters the grass at the same time!
04
Choose cleaning products that are:
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phosphate-free
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sulfate-free
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ammonia-free
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bleach-free
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petroleum-free
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biodegradable
Make your own cleaners. Research recipes online that use natural and effective ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, olive oil, and essential oils.