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Monday, February 15, 2016

Vancouver Island Water Conservation Tips.

Being located in British Columbia, we are very fortunate to have great water resources but that doesn't mean those resources are limitless. The summer is here and the weather is more dry than ever. The Government of British Columbia declared a stage 4 drought on Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii in summer 2015. Even though water restrictions remained at level 1 for Greater Victoria, the water experts were urging B.C. residents and those in agriculture and industrial industries to learn lessons from California's drought and reduce water consumption by 20%.

What can you do?

There are many effective ways to conserve water in and around your home. Look through this list for ways that will work for you.

In the Bathroom

  1. Turning off the shower while you shave saves up to 300 gallons a month.
  2. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to 8 gallons
  3. Choose a shower over a bath and limit time spent in shower.
  4. If you're taking a shower, don't waste cold water while waiting for hot water to reach the shower head. Catch that water in a container to use on your outside plants or to flush your toilet. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
  5. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
  6. Make sure your toilet is an ultra-low flush model, which uses only one and a half gallons per flush.

In the Kitchen

  1. Don't let the water run while doing the dishes. Fill up two sinks; 1 for washing, 1 for rinsing.
  2. A dishwasher is more efficient than hand washing especially if fully loaded.
  3. Keep a bottle of water in the fridge rather than letting your tap run to get cold when you want a drink. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
  4. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables and reuse it to water your houseplants.
  5. Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave. Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.
  6. Designate one glass for drinking each day or refill a water bottle.

Elsewhere in the house

  1. A front load washing machine uses 40% less water than a top loader, saving you almost 100 liters every wash.
  2. Insulate your pipes so that you spend less time waiting for your water to warm up.

Outside

  1. A dripping faucet/hose bibb can lose up to 180 gallons a month or 2,160 gallons per year.
  2. Don't be afraid to let your lawn turn brown.
  3. Micro Irrigation is a green way to water your garden and save water
  4. Choose native plants for your garden, they use less water than exotic plants.
  5. Check irrigation system frequently for leaks.
  6. If you have a pool, use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation. It will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals. Saves 1,000 gallons a month.
  7. Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Saves 300 gallons.
  8. Set lawn mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation. Saves 500 to 1,500 gallons each month.
  9. Drive your car onto a lawn to wash it. Rinse water can help water the grass.

Something to think about...