Water Conservation

Information & Tips 

Hints and tips to help you conserve water: 

Water Conservation in the Home

Water Conservation in your Yard

How to Operate and Maintain your Irrigation System

Water Conservation:

    Water Leaks and Detection

    Household Hints to Conserve Water and Money

    The Water Family - An Online Water Conservation Game

    Environment Canada - Water Conservation

Xeriscape Gardening 
 

    Appropriate Plant Materials for Xeriscape Gardens

    Xeriscape Gardening

    City Hall Xeriscape Garden Layout

    Information on Plants found in the City Xeriscape Garden

Rain Barrels

    Rain Barrel Guide

    Rain Barrels & Rain Collecting

Irrigation

    A Motherlod of Free Irrigation Information    

    How to - fix and repair a leaking irrigation system

Water Conservation Strategy - The Basics of Water Conservation

Water conservation has had negative connotations for many people because it unintentionally implies hardship and inconvenience associated with rationing. However, water conservation is not simply a matter of using less water through restrictions. It is about careful management of water supply sources, use of water saving technologies, reduction of excessive demand and many other actions.

2.1 Water Conservation Defined

Water conservation is generally defined as: "the socially beneficial reduction of water use or water loss." (Baumann, et al. 1980).

Net social benefit is one of the key concepts of water conservation. Consequently, water conservation implies that:

• water use is optimized over a medium to long term time horizon;
• water resource use and protection are given equal concern;
• external social, environmental and economic effects of water use are taken into account;
• tradeoffs must be conscientiously made to achieve net social benefit;
• social and economic planning are integral to water use management; and
• circumstances and context are important factors.

Reducing water use or water loss is the other main concept of conservation. This implies that:

• more water is used than is needed;
• attention to water demand is as important as water supply; and
• water can be used more efficiently.

"Water conservation" is a term commonly interchanged with "water-use efficiency" in this Strategy. It differs slightly but either way, the benefits of saving water, money, infrastructure, topsoil or fish are benefits that every British Columbian can appreciate.

2.2 Water Management Principles

Water use efficiency is based on a number of principles or premises that dictate management of the resource. Four key principles are identified below to reinforce the basis for developing a Water Conservation Strategy for BC.

PRINCIPLE 1:

Water is essential for the health and well being of society, and the environment.

• Acknowledge the intrinsic social and environmental values of water.
• Reflect both the value of water and the costs of supplying, treating and disposing it in water rates and charges.

PRINCIPLE 2:

Water availability is limited by many factors including geographic location, water quality, financial costs, weather and seasonal flows.

• Don't assume there is an endless supply of water.
• Use water efficiently.

PRINCIPLE 3:

The water we use is part of the hydrological cycle - another user waits downstream.

• Keep it clean.
• One person's wastewater is another person's well. Disposal of wastewater must be treated with caution and respect, given the demands of other water users downstream.

PRINCIPLE 4:

Water sustains life on earth. It is a common resource and it cannot be owned.

• Respect the needs of others, both human and non-human.
• Manage water use for intergenerational needs.