Canadian households are among the biggest wasters of water in the world. At 326 litres per person per day we consume twice as much as households in the United Kingdom and in France. Only US households consume more.
But that’s all changing, as concerned municipalities find ways to address one of the root causes of the problem – inefficient use of water in the home. The best news of all is that when things are done right reducing water consumption doesn’t hurt at all.
One municipality that’s taking a proactive and user-friendly approach to this critical issue is the Ontario City of Woodstock. Here’s Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding outlining the City’s Water Efficiency Program, launched in June 2008.
“In the past, users have taken water for granted, because it was supplied free of charge. Installing meters to monitor usage is a first step towards understanding how much water is used in each home, and demonstrating the effectiveness of conservation measures. Changing to low-flow toilets and showerheads makes a dramatic difference that saves money for the homeowner. Then installing water barrels on downspouts stores rainwater for outdoor use – a big saving in drinking water.”
The Woodstock approach was thoroughly researched, targetting the biggest water-wasters in the home and recommending proven low-consumption toilets and showerheads to deliver the solution.
In the average Canadian home the bathroom uses the greatest amount of water, with toilets responsible for 30 percent of total consumption. The City reviewed the many types of low-flow toilets on the market and selected a short list of proven high performers from a range of manufacturers as the basis of an incentive program. One of the first homeowners to take advantage of the program was Mayor Harding himself.
“Like many people in older homes, we had old-fashioned units that used all of 20 litres with each flush. We selected low-flow toilets in the mid-price range, and found them satisfactory in every way, though they use only 6 litres. They are quieter, too, and more comfortable to use. For each of three units we collected the $50 incentive offered by the City, and appreciate that it’s only the beginning of long-term savings. Why waste water when you don’t have to any more.”
It helps forward-looking municipalities, like Woodstock, that manufacturers are leading the way by marketing innovative water-wise products that don’t compromise on efficiency or personal comfort. For example American Standard, who are partners with Woodstock in its Water Efficiency Program, are offering their new FloWise showerhead through the City at generously reduced prices. “A five minute shower with a standard showerhead can use all of 100 litres of water,” says Product Manager, Nunzio Di Cesare at American Standard. “Our Flowise model reduces that by up to 40 per cent – and it still gives a revitalizing shower experience, thanks to its turbine powered technology.” Three models of the FloWise showerhead are offered in the program: Basic, Styled and a 3-function model that can operate in rain shower mode and still cuts back on water consumption. In this case there is no lump-sum incentive payment, just the special low price during the run of the program.
When it comes to toilets, Woodstock offers a choice of two types: water savers, and water super-savers. The first use no more than 6 litres at a flush, a big improvement on the 20 litre-and-more dinosaurs still at work in older homes. Pick one of these from the list of approved models, and the City will cover $50 of your costs. Or, move up to the High Efficiency and Dual Flush toilets, which can cut consumption by lower than 6 litres, and the City will reward you with a $60 incentive.
Reigning back our wasteful use of water is a big undertaking. But with support from proactive local government and forward-looking manufacturers, we can do it – one drop at a time.
For more information on American Standard products, visit www.americanstandard.ca