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Municipal Water and Sewer System. WATER IN. Water Purification Plant. Storage/ Pressure Tank. WATER OUT. Wastewater Treatment Plant. Domestic Water Use by Country. 400. Litres of water per person per day. 300. 380 litres. 329 litres. 200. 250 litres. 200 litres. 100.
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Municipal Water and Sewer System WATER IN Water Purification Plant Storage/ Pressure Tank WATER OUT Wastewater Treatment Plant
Domestic Water Useby Country 400 Litres of water per person per day 300 380 litres 329 litres 200 250 litres 200 litres 100 150 litres 135 litres 0 United States Canada Italy Sweden France Israel
What do we mean by water conservation and efficiency? • Waste less water • shut off the water when it’s not being used • Use water more efficiently • use less water to do the same job • Stop misusing water • don’t use it for the wrong purpose
We can save watereverywhere … 30% toilet flushing 5% cleaning 35% showers and baths • 10% • kitchen • and • drinking 20% laundry
The Three Rules of water conservation and efficiency Repair Reduce Retrofit
WHAT CAN YOU DO … in the kitchen? Reduce Repair Retrofit 10%
Reduce • Automatic dishwasher? • full loads • energy-saver setting Wash dishes by hand? • fill the sink/pan only partially and rinse in another pan
Reduce • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge • Don’t thaw food under a running tap • Steam vegetables
Repair RepairLeaks
Retrofit Install… water-efficient faucet aerators Think twice… • before installing a home water • treatment system • water conditioning • water filtration
WHAT CAN YOU DO … in the bathroom? • Reduce • Repair • Retrofit 65%
Reduce • Turn the tap on only when you really need water • Don’t let the water run while you are doing things like brushing your teeth, shaving, etc. • Consider an automatic faucet
Reduce Take a 5-minute shower • Retrofit • Install a low-flow • showerhead • aerated • non-aerated
Reduce • Half full should be enough • Careful with the hot water!
Reduce • Don’t use your toilet as a garbage can Repair 18 • Toilet run-on • Leaks 6 L
Retrofit Quick fix for now... • water displacement device (plastic bag or bottle) • water retention device (toilet dam) RETROFIT 18-litre 6-litre Best solution... • install a new 6-litre toilet (low-flow model)
WHAT CAN YOU DO … in the laundry room? Reduce Repair Retrofit 20%
Reduce and Retrofit Washing Machine • Wash full loads • Use the shortest cycle • Adjust the water level • Use warm water Hot Water Tank • Set the thermostat at 50°C and insulate • Install a heat trap • Consider a point-of-use water heater
Reduce and Repair Piping System • Use meter readings in off-hours to detect leakage • Repair leaks • Keep pipes from freezing
Stop Misusing the sink drain … for household cleaners, paint, solvents, pesticides, and other chemicals. ! Store and dispose of hazardous products properly… Never pour them down the drain! Buy only the environmentally hazardous products you really need and only in quantities you will completely use up.
WHAT CAN YOU DO … outdoors? REDUCE REPAIR RETROFIT Remember:Outdoor water use increases water consumption by 50% or more
Retrofit • Switch to low maintenance landscaping • Consider native vegetation • Replace grass with drought-resistant plants and ground cover • Use interlocking paving stones for walkways and patios
Reduce • Don’t over water (2-5 cm/week; at most every 3-5 days) • Water in the coolest part of the day (early morning) • Use a sprinkler that delivers BIG droplets (instead of spray) • Water the lawn (not walkways and roads) • Use an automatic timer on the sprinkler • Leave grass at least 6 cm long
Reduce • One real soaking beats several quick wettings • Deliver water slowly (3 drops/second) • Water the roots, not the leaves DRIP DRIPDRIP
Reduce • Use rainwater (from your rain barrel) • Use a wateringcan on flower and vegetable gardens • Use compost and mulch in your garden
Reduce • Use a bucket and sponge to wash the car • Use a trigger nozzle to rinse SAVE ABOUT 300 LITRES OF WATER … each time !
Reduce • Use a broom to clean your driveway or sidewalk SAVE ABOUT 200 LITRES OF WATER … each time !
Reduce • Use a pool cover • Check equipment for leaks • Keep the water in the pool... don’t overfill
WHAT CAN YOU DO … to keep track of water use? Keep a water log Read the meter (if you have one) Pinpoint areas where water savings can be achieved
Water Log … (Household with 2 adults) • using average consumption figures • no big water users (e.g., swimming pool, big garden, etc.) • Result: • > 200 L/day/person with water efficiency
Every Drop Counts … For example… In the bathroom Before 18 L each 20 L/min. After 6 L each 9.5 L/min. toilet flushes showers Retrofit Behaviour Change 18 L 6 L
Adapted from Environment Canada’s publication: Water: No Time to Waste - • A Consumer’s Guide to Water Conservation. • For information on this and other Environment Canada publications, contact your local Environment Canada office or: • Enquiry Centre • Environment Canada • Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3 • Tel.: (819) 997-2800 • Toll free: 1-800-668-6767 • Fax: (819) 953-2225