Outdoor Water Use

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Cultivating healthy soil, rainwater harvesting, responsible lawn care and efficient irrigation all play an important role in conserving water outdoors. Healthy soil absorbs and holds moisture better, reducing the need for frequent watering while collecting rainwater helps reduce the demand for water from other sources. By taking care of lawns responsibly—such as using native plants and mowing wisely—we can prevent waste and keep our environment healthier. Efficient irrigation uses less water by delivering it directly to plants, reducing waste and helping them grow efficiently. Together, these actions make a big difference in saving water and protecting our natural resources.

Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a strong lawn and garden. Soil organisms break down organic matter like mulch and compost, recycling nutrients back into the soil. This creates good soil structure, allowing air, water, and roots to thrive. Starting with healthy soil saves time, money, and water while leading to healthier plants. 

Rainwater Harvesting

Rain barrels capture water from a roof through the downspouts of your eaves troughs and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. Collecting rainwater can mean hundreds of litres of free water you can use in your garden every year, for only a small investment of time and materials. 

Lawn Care

Water use increases by about 44% in the summer months, primarily due to outdoor watering. Help reduce water use in the driest parts of the year by reevaluating your lawn care practices. 

Follow these tips to manage the water your lawn uses wisely.

Efficient Irrigation

Irrigation systems are great for maintaining a healthy lawn and garden, but if they're not properly maintained, they can waste a lot of water. In fact, up to 50% of home irrigation water is lost due to evaporation, runoff, overwatering, leaks, and poor system design, installation, or upkeep.

Irrigation Impacts - Protecting our Water Supply Infrastructure

In recent summers, the CRD's water system has faced problems due to sudden, high demand when many irrigation systems start at the same time. This usually happens at 4:00 am, 5:00 am, and 6:00 am on lawn watering days. During these times, water demand can double in an instant, especially in the summer when both indoor and outdoor water use is high in the morning, putting a lot of pressure on the water supply system.

High and sudden demands for water impact the system's ability to maintain adequate flow, pressure, and high-water quality standards. To help alleviate this issue, CRD added a new lawn watering time (12:01-10 am) to the Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 for timed irrigation systems only.

The water system needs more automatic/timed irrigation systems to start between 12:00 am to 4:00 am and not run between 4:00 am and 6:00 am. You can help CRD solve this problem:

  • Switch to the new overnight lawn watering schedule for timed irrigation systems. Aim for your system to start between 12 am and 3 am to help make an impact.
  • Stagger your irrigation system start time off the top of the hour to reduce the instantaneous demand. Pick a random time like 2:23, 1:41, 3:12.
  • Avoid watering during the peak hours of 4-6 am. 
  • Practice water wise habits for lawns and gardens!
  • If you can, water flowers, veggies, trees and shrubs on non-lawn watering days. The watering schedule days only apply to lawns!
  • Micro/drip irrigation systems can run anytime/any day, schedule them on non-lawn watering days.
  • Don't have a greenspace? You can still help! Refrain from using large amounts of water before 10 am, like starting your dishwasher or washing machine.

Identifying Leaks in an Irrigation System

If you notice areas of your lawn that are always wet, have puddles or show signs of erosion, you may have a leak in your system. Test your system annually, in the daylight, to see if there are leaky heads or hoses that need to be fixed. 

Check out the videos below to learn more about irrigation system leaks:

Irrigation System Maintenance

In the spring, check your irrigation system and garden hoses for thin slits from frost or freezing. Regularly check sprinkler heads (at least monthly) to ensure they are adjusted to spray appropriate landscape areas and are not clogged or malfunctioning. Have your irrigation system checked by a contractor at least once every year.

Before winter, flush your irrigation system to make sure no water will freeze in the system, causing cracks in pipes and sprinklers. Before spring, inspect the system and check for leaks and clogs that may have happened over the winter.

Reduce water waste by adjusting irrigation systems and/or sprinklers so that water does not run down the driveway, sidewalks or street. Regularly check sprinkler heads to ensure they are in good working condition and pointing in the right direction.

Check out the following two videos to learn more about winter and spring irrigation system maintenance:

Scheduling Irrigation Systems 

Scheduling is the process of applying the correct amount of water at the right time. The largest loss of plant materials and the overuse of water is the direct result of improper irrigation scheduling. The biggest problem is watering too frequently. Proper irrigation scheduling is the key to efficient water use and helps to protect our drinking water distribution system.

As well, ensure that your schedule aligns with the CRD watering schedule, in effect each year from May 1 to September 30.

Check out our to learn more about irrigation system scheduling:

Choosing an Irrigation System

There are two main types of irrigation systems: micro/drip and in-ground.  

  • If you have a large lawn, an in-ground system might be the best choice.  
  • If most of your yard is landscaped with plants like bushes, shrubs, or garden beds, a micro-drip system could work better.  
  • For yards with both a large lawn and a significant landscaped area, a combination of both systems may be ideal. 

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Territorial Acknowledgement

The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day. Statement of Reconciliation