Indoor Water Use

• Plug the sink or use a tub when hand washing dishes. 
• Turn off the tap when scrubbing! Avoid washing or rinsing dishes with running water.
• Run full dishwasher loads rather than washing dishes by hand to maximize water savings.
• Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost instead of rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher. Modern machines and detergents can handle small bits of food.
• Use only the water you need. Don’t fill pots or kettles more than necessary. Measure water for cooking instead of guessing.
• Defrost food in the fridge overnight so that it doesn't need to be thawed under running water.
• Keep a bottle or jug of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for cold water.

• Strive for five-minute showers. Make a five-minute playlist to listen to while you are in the shower to help you keep track of time.
• Skip brushing teeth and shaving your face in the shower. Save these for when the water is not running.
• Avoid flushing unnecessarily.

• Wait until you have a full load before running a cycle. A washing machine uses nearly the same amount of water regardless of the load size.
• Use shorter or eco-friendly cycles for lightly soiled clothes. Avoid using extra rinse cycles unless necessary.
• Use high-quality, stainless-steel braided hoses to prevent leaks and bursts, which can waste a lot of water.

• Turn off your main water supply when away for long trips.
• Insulate your water pipes to reduce hot water delivery delay (and wasted water) experienced while waiting for water to run hot from the shower or faucets.
• Educate your household members and roommates, make water conservation part of daily routines.

Place the bag (or another container with volume markings, like a large measuring cup or pitcher) under your showerhead.

Contact us to request a free shower flow bag, designed to help you measure how much water your showerhead uses.

Turn the faucet on fully and let the water run into the bag for 10 seconds.

Check how much water you collected in those 10 seconds, then multiply that number by six to calculate your shower’s flow rate in litres per minute (L/min).

Example: If you collected 1.9 L in 10 seconds, your showerhead’s flow rate is about 11.4 L/min (1.9 × 6).

• More than 7.6 L/min:
  Your showerhead is using more water than necessary. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model, which can cut your water use (and heating costs) by up to 40%.
• 7.6 L/min or less:
  Great job! You already have a water-efficient showerhead.

Replacing inefficient toilets is the best way to save the most water in your bathroom. It's the law for new residential buildings and renovation projects involving toilet replacements in British Columbia to use high-efficiency toilets. 

High-efficiency toilets look like other models, but often have a smaller tank. Toilets must be marked to indicate they have been tested for low water consumption, less than or equal to 4.8L/flush. 

With many options available, it can be challenging to choose. The Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing Program, created with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), tests toilets to see how well they perform under real conditions. Search more MaP grades through here. 

WaterSense labeled showerheads have been tested by the USEPA for water efficiency. Look for that label when shopping to help guide you. High efficiency showerheads have great benefits, including:

• Water and Energy Savings: High-efficiency showerheads use between 5.6 to 7.6 liters of water per minute (L/min), compared to older models that use up to 20 L/min. year. Using less water also means lower energy bills since there's less water to heat.
• Quality and Functionality: These showerheads reduce water use without compromising the shower experience. Many high-efficiency models have multiple flow settings.
• Environmental Benefits: Saving water helps conserve resources and protect aquatic ecosystems. Using less water also means using less energy.
• Cost-Effective: Installing a high-efficiency showerhead is a low-cost way to save water and money. You can choose between aerating and laminar flow showerheads. Aerating showerheads mix water with air to create a strong flow while using less water. Laminar flow showerheads use individual streams of water.
• Check out this video to see how to replace your showerhead.

Your family can save hundreds of litres of water a year by changing the old, inefficient faucets in your home to high-efficiency faucets and adding aerators. 

High-efficiency faucets use a maximum of 5.7 L/min (1.5 gallons/min) without sacrificing performance, saving 30% of water compared to high flow faucets.  

Aerators are inexpensive, easy to find and install retrofits for your faucets that can save water. Look for ultra-low flow 1.9 L/min devices. Contact us and we will send you one for free! Remember to inspect faucet aerators annually to clean out the screen for any particles that may accumulate and impede its flow and efficiency. 

Ready to install your new aerator? Check out this video to learn how to install an aerator. 

If you are looking for a new washing machine, consider buying a high-efficiency washing machine to maximize your savings. 

High-efficiency machines use up to 40% less water, 50% less energy to dry clothes as more moisture is spun out, less detergent, are gentle on clothes, and help preserve the environment through reduced water consumption, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) recommends a model with an Integrated Water Factor (IWF) of 3.2 or lower and an Integrated Modified Energy Factor (IMEF) of 2.76 or higher. Look for the ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient product specifications to help you choose the washing machine that’s best for you. 

Buy a water- and energy-efficient model when looking for a new dishwasher. Look for ENERGY STAR® rating with a water consumption of 13L per cycle for standard dishwashers and a compact dishwashers 12L.