Water Conservation
The FVRD has a Water Regulations Bylaw that governs how consumers and the public must conduct themselves with regard to the water systems. From time to time, the FVRD will impose watering restrictions to conserve water resources. Restrictions may be voluntary, mandatory, or a combination.
Even when there are no restrictions in place, consumers are always encouraged to be water-wise and conserve water wherever possible. Taking these important actions saves water, energy, and money.
Save Water Indoors
Stop those leaks!
Check your indoor water-using appliances and devices for leaks. Many silent leaks allow water, and your money, to go down the drain. Studies have shown that homes can waste more than 10 percent of their water due to leaking, which costs both you and the environment.
Replace Your Old Toilet
If your home is more than about five to ten years old, and the toilet, which is the largest water user in your home, has never been replaced, then it is very likely you do not have a water-efficient, 6-litre (1.6-gallon) per flush toilet. Even some newer homes still have high-flush toilets. The volume per flush is often printed at the back of the seat, near the base of the tank or the seat hinge.
Replace Your Clothes Washer
Your washer is the second-largest water user in your home. Energy Star™ rated washers that also have a water factor at or lower than 9.5, use 35 to 50 percent less water and 50 percent less energy per load. This saves you money on both your water and energy bills.
Save Water Outdoors
Plant the Right Plants
Whether you are putting in a new landscape or slowing changing the current landscaping at your home, select plants that are appropriate for your local climate conditions. A yard with 100 percent lawn turf area in a dry climate uses significant amounts of water. Also, consider the trend towards xeriscaping and natural landscaping.
Water Wisely
Most water is wasted in your garden by watering your plants when they do not need water or by not maintaining the irrigation system. If you are manually watering, set your oven timer or some other reminder to move the water promptly. Make sure your irrigation controller has a rain shutoff device and that it's appropriately scheduled. Most water is wasted in months prior to or just after the rainy season when intermittent rains occur.
Check Irrigation and Sprinklers for Leaks
Another large water waster can be leaks in your irrigation system. Fix irrigation system leaks quickly and check for water in the gutters or mud puddles. Inspect your sprinklers and drip sprayers regularly for leaks during the daytime since the optimal time to water is in the nighttime hours when you cannot observe leaks. If you have an older irrigation system, over 50 percent (and sometimes more than 75 percent) of the water it uses can be lost to leaks.
