Why should we conserve water?
So our neighbours and ourselves don't run short. So we don't deplete our groundwater storage. So stream, lake, and wetland water levels aren't lowered unnecessarily, damaging their ecosystems. Because it saves us money. Because being wasteful is irresponsible.

Rooftop rainwater: the untapped resource
An average house roof on Bowen Island (125 square metres) will yield 160 000 litres or 35 000 gallons of water a year. Many homes on Bowen Island store rainwater in cisterns or tanks for use in the garden. Some even use rainwater for all their needs.

The leak detective - the water meter Installing a water meter is the fastest way to detect leaks. A leaking toilet can waste 400 litres (90 gallons) a day. larger image [JPEG, 143.2 kb, 1000 X 685, notice]

Thirsty lawns and gardens
Outdoor water use, primarily gardening, increases Vancouver's water use by 30% during the summer. Lawns are incredibly thirsty, using four times as much as anything else in the garden, but this need not be. There are many beautiful gardens of native, drought-tolerant plants. Sprinklers can be replaced by efficient drip systems.

That was an expensive flush!
Treating water to meet drinking water standards can be very expensive. Yet only 10% of our average household water use requires potable water for drinking, food preparation, and kitchen washing. We use this expensive treated water to flush toilets, water our gardens, wash the car, even fight fires!

Miserly toilets Ultra-low-flush toilets decrease water use by 40%! That really saves on the water bill.

Septic fields recharge groundwater storage
Most water used by households with septic fields returns to the groundwater system. We use the water, but we return it to the earth. This is good management. In contrast, sewer systems export water to the ocean, depleting groundwater storage.

Septic fields recharge underground storage larger image [JPEG, 269.1 kb, 1625 X 680, notice]