Water Conservation and Restrictions

• Using a running hose to wash your car can use up to 400 litres of water. Using a bucket with a sponge plus a trigger nozzle on the hose will save you approximately 300 of those litres!
• Lawn watering and other outdoor uses can account for 50% of home water use during the summer months, try using a rain barrel and watering in the evening to cut water costs.
• Approximately 20 litres of water are used while brushing teeth with the tap on – save water by turning the tap off!
• Your old toilet may be using as much as 3 times more water than a new low flow toilet. Consider replacing your old toilet and save on your water bills!
• Older water fixtures such as taps and shower heads can use a significant amount of water. Consider installing an inexpensive aerator on your taps and installing water efficient shower heads to save even more money on your water bills!

• A healthy lawn only requires about 1 inch of water per week! Try using an empty tuna can on your lawn when watering. When it is full, you are done!
• Let grass grow to 6-8 cm (2½ to 3 inches) before cutting, and leave the grass clippings on the lawn to aid in moisture retention.
• Using mulch in your garden/flower beds will help the soil retain moisture and reduce the amount of water needed!
• Check hoses and sprinklers for leaks prior to use.

What is a rain barrel?

A rain barrel is a container used to capture and store rainwater from roofs and other impervious surfaces.

What are the benefits?

A substantial amount of household water is used for watering our lawns and gardens throughout the summer months. A way to combat high water bills is to install a rain barrel. The water it captures after a rainfall can later be used on lawns and gardens. In fact, it’s better for your gardens to use rainwater!

Why is rainwater better for your garden than tap water?

There are some inorganic ions and other compounds found in regular tap water that can cause damage to plant roots in the long run. By using an organic alternative, your garden will be more sustainable and ultimately grow to be healthier. Not only will your garden flourish, but limiting your use of tap water will save you money! It’s a win-win.

What about the rainwater runoff reduction?

Another perk of having a rain barrel is that you are benefitting the greater community and environment as a whole. Since rain barrels catch rainwater, they also reduce stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can drag different fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants straight into nearby bodies of water. Even if a rain barrel doesn’t have the capacity to capture all the rainwater that falls on your property, every drops helps!

How to Install a rain barrel?

Click here for rain barrel installation instructions.

Even-numbered households can conduct outdoor watering on even-numbered calendar days only.

Odd-numbered households can conduct outdoor watering on odd-numbered calendar days only.

1. Watering of vegetable and fruit gardens, plots, and trees that are cultivated for the purposes of non-commercial personal or not-for-profit use
2. Any person installing a significant amount of new grass, sod or landscaping shall be entitled to use water for the newly installed grass and/or sod each calendar day during any part of the day for a period of one week from the initial date of installation of the new grass and/or sod

When deemed appropriate by the Town, further restrictions on the use of Town water shall be put into effect and shall remain in effect until the said further restrictions have been lifted by the Town.

There are currently no further restrictions, please check back for updates as needed.