Help preserve our precious resource.

Find out more about the Importance of Water by watching our video.

Indoor:

• use low-flow fixtures such as water-saving shower heads and ultra low flow toilets
• cut your shower time in half
  turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
• wait to use the dishwasher and washing machine until you have a full load
• fix all leaky taps and toilets
• instead of waiting for tap water to get cold enough for drinking, keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator
• clean vegetables in a sink or pan partially filled with water rather than running water from the tap
• if you wash dishes by hand, rinse them in a sink partially filled with clean water instead of under running water

Outdoor:

In Saskatoon, water use doubles in the summer months. Much of this increase is due to lawn and garden watering. This places large demands on the City's Water Treatment Plant. We can all save money by watering efficiently and reducing waste.

• apply water to your established lawn only when it is needed. If you leave footprints when you walk on your lawn it may be time to water
• water the established lawn once a week, and do so deeply
• newly seeded lawns need more attention so water every other day until the grass reaches 5 cm then water less frequently
• soak newly laid sod with 2.5 cm of water (1 inch), then water lightly every other day for about two weeks.
• check sprinkler systems regularly for broken or misdirected sprinklers
• use the tuna can test to determine how long to run your sprinklers. Set a tuna can in each of your sprinkler zones and time how long it takes to fill it with water. That's how long you should run your sprinkler once a week. 
• avoid watering during the heat of the day or during windy times, instead water early in the morning to minimize evaporation
• use drip irrigation for trees and shrubs
• xeriscape your yard (xeriscaping combines water conservation practices with creative landscape design)
• wash your car with a bucket of soapy water and use a nozzle to stop the flow of water from the hose between rinsings
• use a broom when cleaning your deiveay or walkway. The broom works just as well and doesn't use almost 200 litres of water to do the job

Follow this link to WaterSense and learn more about what you can do to make every drop count.

Did You Know…

• the average person in Saskatoon uses 230 litres of water a day
• we have the same amount of water today as we did when the Earth was formed. It is a limited resource
• a dripping tap can waste up to 3,400 litres a month and a leaking toilet can waste up to 7,800 litres a month, for a total dollar value of $16 a month or $192 a year

Water Usage Statistics:

Daily indoor water use in the typical family home breaks down as follows:

Toilets use 26.7%
Washing machines use 21.7%
Showers use 16.8%
Faucets use 15.7%
Leaks use 13.7%
Baths use 1.7%
Dishwashers use 1.4%
Other household water tasks use 2.2%

(source: AWWA Web Site)