Adding water-saving devices to your home or business can help to conserve water. Consider adding:

• Water faucet aerators
• Low-flow showerheads
• Toilet dams

Conservation in the bathroom

The bathroom accounts for the majority of indoor water use. Learn how to check for leaky toilets and other tips to save water.

• Install water efficient toilets and fixtures.
• When washing, brushing your teeth or shaving, never let the tap run continuously.
• Turn off the taps tightly (but gently) so they do not drip.
• Take shorter showers.
• Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Even the smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 75 or more litres a day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds.
• To check for a toilet leak, place a few drops of food coloring or dye test tablets (available at home improvement stores) in the toilet tank. Do not flush; wait 10-15 minutes. If the bowl water changes colour, you have a leak.

Conservation in the kitchen

• Take foods out of the freezer early to allow plenty time to thaw rather than running water over it.
• Keep water in the fridge so you don’t have to run the tap to get cold water.
• Completely fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use 35-45 litres per cycle.
• If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
• Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water.
• Keep cooking fats, oils and grease out of the drain. They can stick to and block the inside of pipes, which can lead to sewer back-ups and basement flooding.

Conservation in the laundry room

• Purchase a high efficiency washing machine.
• Try to only do laundry when the machine is full.
• If you need to wash smaller loads, be sure to adjust your washer’s water level settings accordingly.

Conservation outdoors

• Deep-soak your lawn, long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.
• Water in the morning to eliminate evaporation.
• Adjust sprinklers to water lawns and not driveways or the sidewalk.
• Avoid watering on windy days.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture and discourage weed growth too.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• When washing your car, rather than use a running hose consider using a bucket, a sponge, and a hose with a trigger nozzle.
• Check garden hoses and connections frequently and keep them drip-free. Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they are not as visible, but they can be just as wasteful as leaks inside.

Conservation during winter

Typically, water use increases in the summer as we try to meet water demand of lawns, vegetable gardens and flowers. Unlike most provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador uses more water in the winter months compared to the summer. This is mainly due to the risk of freezing water pipes during cold temperatures. Here are some ways you can conserve water during the winter:

• Drip faucets instead of running water to prevent your pipes from freezing.
• Collect water in a bucket for flushing the toilet. Showers take longer to heat up in the winter so take advantage of the first few minutes of cold water.
• Wrap all exposed pipes and insulate hot water pipes to help protect them against bursting.
• If your pipes do burst, know where your shut off valve is to prevent excessive damage and decrease water usage.
• Call in a plumber after the first thaw to check your pipes for damage and leaks.
• Do not use your hose to melt snowbanks. This is an unnecessary waste of water.

Regardless of the season, it is important to be conscious of the amount of water you’re using. Be sure to follow the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room water conservation tips year round to prevent excessive use of water during all seasons.

By reducing water consumption, you can:

• Lower operating costs.
• Enhance your public image by demonstrating your commitment to the environment.
• Increase your competitiveness by saving money and attracting new loyal customers.