How To Minimize Water Use During This Drought Season

BC is currently facing severe drought levels and most of BC’s water basins are at an unprecedented Drought Level 4 or 5 (5 is the highest level). With the drought reaching historic levels, Stage 2 water conservation protocols are now in place, and all levels of government are asking citizens and businesses to do their part to conserve water.

Here are some important tips for conserving water, which if you play your part, could help reduce water consumption.

Indoor
• Take shorter showers – cutting 2 minutes off your shower can save 20 litres of water
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Consider flushing the toilet less frequently – a full dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand
• Run full loads of laundry and dishes
• Wash large pots and pans by hand
• Check for leaks in your household – undetected leaks can waste a lot of water
• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run until the water gets cold

Outdoor
• Sweep driveways and pavements instead of hosing down – a 15 minute use of the hose can waste 675 litres of water
• Use a bucket of water to clean car windscreens, windows and headlights
• Water your lawn sparingly – make sure you are abiding by the latest municipal watering guidelines
• When watering, do it in the morning or evening to prevent unnecessary water evaporation
• Collect and reuse water for your plants and garden
• Spread a thick layer of mulch around flower beds, trees, shrubs and gardens.- this retains moisture and suppress weeds.
• Ensure there are no leaks in the pipes and faucets

Businesses
• Abide by local municipal guidelines
• Recycle water when possible
• Reduce non-essential water use
• Review your water use
• Check all plumbing for leaks

Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Small changes make a big difference.

Resources:
• Local water restrictions
• Drought levels in your area
• 2023 Quick guide to drought resources
• Water conservation guide for BC