Outdoors

Car Washing

Did you know that washing your car with the hose can use approximately 400 litres of water per wash. The best way to reduce your water consumption is to go to a commercial car wash. This will not only reduce your water usage but will also prevent chemicals and pollutants from entering our storm sewers because car washes discharge to the sanitary sewer instead of the storm sewer.

If you must wash your car at home, try using a bucket and sponge instead of running the hose - this could save you approximately 300 litres of water.

Pools

Using a pool cover regularly can reduce water loss due to evaporation by approximately 50 per cent of your total pool volume. Also, remember to inspect your pool equipment and hoses for leaks on a regular basis.

Driveways

Cleaning your driveway with the hose uses a tremendous amount of high quality drinking water. An average garden hose flows at 35 litres per minute, so spending 10 minutes cleaning a driveway with the garden hose will use approximately 350 litres of drinking water (Environment Canada). That's more than the average person in York Region uses per day for all other household activities combined. Instead of using a hose, you should try sweeping your driveway if it needs to be cleaned.

For more tips on how to conserve water throughout your household click here to download your FREE copy of the Water Efficiency An At-Home Guide.