Water Conservation

Native plants are an important part of healthy, resilient, and water-efficient landscapes. Because they are adapted to local climate, soil, and weather conditions, they often require less watering, fertilizer, and maintenance than many non-native ornamental plants.

Including native plants around your property can provide several benefits:

Habitat and food for wildlife.

Native plants provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, helping support local biodiversity.

Low-maintenance landscaping.

Once established, many native plants require less watering, mowing, fertilizer, and pesticide use, making them a practical and attractive landscaping choice.

Healthy soils.

Native plants often have deep or extensive root systems that improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, reduce erosion, and help soil hold water more effectively.

Water efficiency and resilience.

Native plants are better suited to handle local conditions, including dry periods, heavy rain, and seasonal temperature changes, reducing the need for supplemental watering.

The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) has a guide for native pollinator plants in the Severn Sound Area. It tells you information on each native plant species, including the seasonality, what insects and animal it attracts, the dimensions once fully grown, and required growing conditions. It also includes plant pairings for various growing conditions.

Mulch is a layer of material spread over the surface of soil around plants, trees, garden beds, and landscaped areas. It can be:

• Organic mulch: bark chips, shredded wood, leaves, straw, compost, or grass clippings
• Inorganic mulch: gravel, stone, rubber mulch, or landscape fabric

For most gardens and planted areas, organic mulch is often preferred because it breaks down over time and improves the soil.

What does mulch do?

• Conserves soil moisture.
• Reduces weeds.
• Improves soil health.
• Protects plant roots.

To use mulch effectively, you should:

• Apply mulch about 5 to 8 cm deep around garden beds and plants.
• Keep mulch a few centimetres away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot and pests.
• Replenish organic mulch as it breaks down.
• Water the soil before applying mulch if conditions are very dry.

Irrigation systems can be a convenient way to keep lawns and gardens looking their best, but they work best when they’re set up and used thoughtfully. Taking a few simple steps to check and adjust your system can help keep outdoor spaces thriving while using water wisely.

Avoid evaporation.

Water in the early morning or late evening, within scheduled days and times during watering restrictions, to avoid excessive evaporation.

Perform routine maintenance.

Perform routine maintenance of the sprinkler heads and pipes. A leak can cause an unnecessary expense on your water bill and wastes water.

Avoid hard surfaces.

Water only required areas. Try to avoid having sprinkler heads directed towards sidewalks, driveways, walkways, decks, or other hard surfaces.

Don't overwater your grass.

Avoid overwatering your grass. Too much water can cause root rot, fungal growth, and cause shallow root systems leaving it less resilient to dry spells.

Smart irrigation.

Consider a smart irrigation controller to adjust schedules based on weather data or soil moisture levels so as not to use water when not necessary.

Water based on needs.

Different parts of your landscape, such as shaded areas, gardens, and areas in direct sunlight, have different water needs. Water areas based on their individual needs rather than using the same amount for all.

Drip irrigation is an effective way to create a water-efficient landscape by delivering water slowly and directly to the root zone of the plant.

Using a network of tubing, pipes, emitters, or drip lines, drip irrigation releases small amounts of water close to the base of plants. Compared to traditional sprinklers, this targeted approach helps reduce water loss from evaporation, wind drift, runoff, and overspray onto sidewalks, driveways, or roads.

Because water is applied at a slow, steady pace, it has more time to soak into the soil. This helps maintain consistent moisture, prevent overwatering, reduce weed growth between plants, and support healthier root development.

Drip irrigation is commonly used in vegetable gardens, flower beds, raised beds, trees, shrubs, foundation plantings, and other landscaped areas with grouped plants.

For best results, systems should be checked regularly for leaks, clogs, or damaged lines and can be paired with a timer, rain sensor, or smart irrigation controller to help ensure watering only happens when needed.

Rain barrels collect rainwater from your roof so it can be reused for gardens, flower beds, and other outdoor watering. Using a rain barrel can help reduce outdoor water use, conserve treated drinking water and make better use of rainfall around your home.

Tips for using rain barrels:

• Only use rainwater for non-drinking outdoor purposes
• Keep your barrel covered and screened
• Place on a stable, level base
• Make sure overflow drains away from your home’s foundation

Rain barrels can often be purchased at home improvement stores, garden centers, and hardware stores.

Your lawn can stay healthy and resilient without using more water than it needs. With a few simple lawn care habits, you can encourage stronger roots and help your grass better handle hot, dry weather. These small changes can support a greener lawn while helping to use water more thoughtfully throughout the season.

Raise your mower height.

Taller grass helps to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.

Leave grass clippings on the lawn.

Grass clippings act as a natural, moisture-retaining mulch.

Aerate compacted soil.

Aerating your soil allows water to penetrate the soil easier and deeper.

Use the “step” test.

If you step on your grass and it springs back, it does not need water. If it stays flat, it’s time to water.

Don't overwater.

Too much water can cause root rot, fungal growth, and cause shallow root systems. Healthy lawns only need 2.5 cm of water once a week, including rainfall.

Hydrozoning is a water-efficient landscape design practice that groups plants with similar water, sunlight, and soil needs into distinct areas or “zones.” This allows each zone to be watered more accurately, rather than applying the same amount of water across an entire yard or garden.

For example, drought-tolerant plants can be grouped in one area that requires less frequent watering, while plants that need more consistent moisture can be placed in a separate zone. This helps prevent overwatering, underwatering, and unnecessary water waste.

Hydrozoning also supports healthier plant growth by matching plants to suitable conditions, including sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and irrigation needs. When plants are placed in the right locations, they are often more resilient, require less maintenance, and perform better over time.

Pools are a great way to relax and escape the summer heat, but water loss can cause an excess of water usage. Consider these tips to reduce unnecessary water consumption:

Use a pool cover.

By using a solar or thermal pool cover, you can prevent evaporation and chemical loss when the pool is not in use.

Check for leaks.

If you notice the water levels in your pool getting lower, try checking for leaks. Leaks can occur in liners, pumps, filters, and connections. Do some research on how to troubleshoot on your own or call a professional.

Avoid overfilling the pool.

Monitor the pool continuously while filling it and never leave a hose unattended. To prevent overfilling, set a timer, use the skimmer or waterline as a visual guide, and turn the water off once it reaches the recommended level.

Find your pools ideal water level.

If the pool’s water levels are too high, splash out can occur easily and cause pool levels to drop.

Backwash only when needed.

Top up thoughtfully rather than draining and refilling unnecessarily.

Outdoor cleaning routines can use more water than you may realize, especially when hoses are used out of habit rather than necessity.

Making simple changes to the way you clean outdoor spaces can help reduce unnecessary water use while still keeping your property safe and tidy. Choose cleaning methods that conserve water whenever possible.

Hard surfaces.

Instead of using a hose or water to spray down patios, decks, walkways, and driveways, use a broom to sweep away dirt and debris.

Outdoor furniture.

When cleaning outdoor furniture, try spot-cleaning only the areas that need attention rather than rinsing everything down.

Cars.

Washing your car at home can use more water than if you were to go to a commercial car wash. If you decide to wash your vehicle at home, use a bucket, a hose with a shut-off nozzle, biodegradable soap, and wash on grass or gravel where water can soak into the ground instead of running into the storm sewer.

Water should be used only when necessary for safety or sanitation, helping to avoid waste and support more responsible water use.

Small, mindful actions can help conserve water. Consider these simple kitchen swaps to reduce unnecessary water consumption:

Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.

Instead of running the tap to chill drinking water, keep a pitcher in the fridge so cold water is ready when you need it.

Run full loads in the dishwasher.

Instead of running half loads, wait until the dishwasher is full. Most dishwashers use the same amount of water per load, no matter how many dishes are inside.

Wash dishes in a pan.

Instead of hand-washing dishes under running water, fill a pan or basin with water to wash them more efficiently.

Reuse cooking water.

Instead of dumping water used for cooking down the drain, collect it and use it to water your plants once it has cooled.

Steam vegetables instead of boiling them.

Steaming uses less water than boiling and can also help improve the flavour and preserve the nutrients of vegetables.

Defrost food in the refrigerator.

Instead of defrosting food under running water, plan ahead and thaw it in the refrigerator to save water safely.

Everyday habits in the home can have a bigger impact on water use than you might think. Small changes to your daily routine can help reduce unnecessary water consumption and make a difference over time. Consider  these Dos and Don’ts for saving water in the bathroom.

Do:

• Take shorter showers to reduce the amount of water used each day.
  • Even a few minutes less can make a noticeable difference over time.
• Use low-flow showerheads to help conserve water without sacrificing comfort.
  • These fixtures can reduce indoor water use and help lower utility costs.

Don’t:

• Let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Turning the tap off when it is not needed is a simple way to avoid wasting water.
• Use your toilet as a wastebasket.
  • Flushing items that could be thrown in the garbage wastes water and can also lead to plumbing issues.

Laundry is a regular part of household routines, but it can also use more water than necessary if small habits are overlooked. Consider these simple tips to help conserve water in the laundry room:

Run full loads of laundry.

Run your washer only when it is full to make the most of the water being used. This helps reduce the number of loads and can lower overall water consumption.

Spot treat stains.

Instead of presoaking clothing, spot treat stains before washing. This can help save water while still giving stained items extra attention.

Maintain your washing machine.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance. A well-maintained washer operates more efficiently and can help reduce unnecessary water use.

Wash clothes in cold water.

Use cold water when possible to help save energy while also helping clothes retain their colour.

Older or inefficient appliances and fixtures can lead to unnecessary water consumption over time, while water-efficient appliances and fixtures can be a great way to reduce water use in your home.

There are many options available to help conserve water indoors, such as:

• Low-flow showerheads
• Dual-flush toilets
• Tap aerators
• Water-efficient washing machines
• Leak detection systems

Before choosing a water-saving device, consider your household’s water use habits and where the most water is being used, such as in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or outdoors. Understanding your home’s needs can help you select the most effective options for your property.

Leaks in the home can go unnoticed for long periods of time, but even a small leak can lead to unnecessary water loss, higher utility costs, and potential damage over time. Know how to identify leaks in your home using these simple tips:

Check the meter reading.

If the digits on the water meter are continuously moving when no taps are on in the home, there is likely a leak.

Test your toilet.

Toilets are a common cause of leaks. Place food colouring or a dye test tablet in the tank and wait 10–15 minutes without flushing. If colour appears in the bowl, there may be a leak.

Inspect common problem areas.

Check taps, washing machine or dishwasher feed lines, water softeners, hot water tanks, sprinkler systems, and any other appliances or devices connected to water.

Know where your internal shut-off valve is.

In the event of an emergency leak, use the internal shut-off valve to stop the water supply into your home. This can help prevent further water loss while repairs are arranged.

Call WAMCO if the meter itself is leaking.

If the water meter is leaking, contact WAMCO, our third-party service provider, at [Phone].

Contact a plumber if needed.

If you cannot find the source of the leak, or are unable to fix it yourself, call a plumber for assistance.

Finding and fixing leaks early can help reduce unnecessary water consumption and protect your home from further damage.