Water conservation
Here in Vancouver, where we are surrounded by waterways and often experience mild, wet winters, we can easily forget that water is a precious and limited resource. In fact, only 3% of the world's water is fresh, and less than one third of 1% is available for human use.
Whether we turn on our faucets or set out our sprinklers, the water that spills out is fresh, potable water that comes from rain and snowmelt collected in three mountainous reservoirs: the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam reservoirs. During the winter months, when rain and snow are plentiful, these reservoirs fill to capacity. In the dry summer months, however, we use more water and use it faster than our reservoirs can refill. This is why we must be careful with the water we use and prevent summertime water shortages.
Beyond meeting consumer demand, there are some real money matters to consider for using water wisely. The cost of water not only involves the cost of maintaining infrastructure for water supply, but also the cost of treating and disposing of waste water. In addition, because some of the water in your home is heated, water efficiency can help you save on your energy bills. Becoming more water efficient reduces the full scope of these water costs.
[top]