The statistics are disturbing though. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be affected by water scarcity-shortages, according to the United Nations’ Water for Life program.
A Natural Resources Canada report on climate change states every region of Canada faces threats to its water supply. Despite the fact that Canada has large lakes and rivers, experts agree a small percentage of the country’s water is naturally being replenished.

Water use and climate change are clearly linked. How can homeowners make a difference by conserv­ing water? Climate Change Central, with in Calgary and Edmonton, says “it takes an immense amount of energy to put water through the municipal system from treatment and purification to pumping it to your home.” Afterwards, the water has to be heated by natural gas on its way to your showerhead.

Showers represent about 22 per cent of the total water use and up to two-thirds of the hot-water use in the typical Canadian home. A family of four that takes daily five-minute show-ers uses 70,000 litres of hot water a year, or 140,000 litres if the shower is ten minutes long.

Energy efficient showerheads and toilets
Climate Change Central recommends installing energy-efficient showerheads, which can cut hot water use by 35 per cent or more. Surprisingly, it will reduce a homeowner’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 650 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per year. For a family of four, it could save at least 25,000 litres of water a year without changing showering habits.

Earlier this year, Kohler introduced its new 1.75-gallon- per-minute (gpm) showerhead. A standard showerhead uses 2.5 gpm.
 “As water conservation has become more of a widespread concern, an increasing number of water-efficient showerheads have appeared on the market,” says Brian Baratka, director of product marketing for Kohler Global Faucets.

The company has expanded its line of high-efficiency, water conserving toilets with its KOHLER San Raphael toilet.

The toilet is the company’s first one-piece, 1.0 gallon-per-flush(gpf) high-efficiency toilet with pressure assist technology.

Annually, the sleek San Raphael 1.0 gpf toilet could save a household of four up to 20,000 gallons of water versus an older 3.5 gpf toilet.

“This toilet represents the future of flushing technology,” says Kathryn Streeby, director of marketing, sanitary products for KOHLER. “The industry is progressing to better technology and improved performance, while utilizing less water. The introduction of KOHLER’s San Raphael Pressure Lite toilet underscores our commitment to offer consumers the most choices for water-conserving plumbing products.” 

Rain barrels
In Calgary and Edmonton, the cities spend a considerable portion of their total electricity bill on water treatment. Residents using rain barrels can conserve water by catching rain water flowing from their eaves troughs. Rain barrel use means less water needs to be treat­-ed, cutting down on water waste and reducing demand on water treatment facilities. They also reduce runoff and keep water out of the sewers and rivers to protect against flooding.

As summer rain water is warm, soft, non-chlorinated water, it’s ideal for trees, grass and plants. Watering with rain water instead of tap water is easy, economical and maintains a healthy yard, according to Clean Calgary Association.

In April, Clean Calgary Association sold 1,694 rain barrels at its Rain Barrel sale. “This means an important increase in water conservation in Calgary and a successful fundraiser for Clean Calgary Association programs,” says Natalie Odd, executive director. Rain barrels are available year-round at the Clean Calgary Association EcoStore.

“The majority of Calgarians who picked up barrels were purchasing their first rain barrel,” says Odd. “It is significant that so many people are taking the initiative to harvest rain at their homes.
“They will benefit from a chemical-free water source for their garden, help conserve a precious natural resource, and collectively take pressure off our storm water systems and water treat-
ment facilities.”

ON THE WEB
For more information:
www.un.org/waterforlifedecade
www.thinkwater.ca
www.nrcan.gc.ca
www.climatechangecentral.com
www.kohler.com
www.cleancalgary.org

In your Laundry Room
- Run your washer only when full and consider front-loading models (they use about half the water per load).

In your Kitchen
- Run your dishwasher only when full.
- Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl or basin using a vegetable brush instead of letting the water run.
- Consider composting. Garbage disposals use hundreds of litres of water a week.
- Insulate hot water pipes and tanks so that you don’t have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet.
- Chill your water in the fridge instead of running the faucet until cold.

In Your Bathroom
- Repair leaks. In the toilet, drop food colouring in the toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl you have a leak. 
- Fix leaky faucets. A tap that drips one drop per second wastes about 10,000 litres per year.
- Install water saving aerators on your water faucets and low flow showerheads in the shower.
- Avoid running the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing up and cleaning.
- Take shorter showers.
- Fill the bathtub half full.
- Replace your old toilet with a low-flush model.

In your Yard
- Don’t water your lawn or outdoor plants if it’s rained an inch in the last week.
- Avoid watering your sidewalk and driveway.
- Replace your grass with low water-use plants and ground cover.

Maintaining your Rain Barrel
- Place one tablespoon of olive oil in your water to keep mosquitoes from breeding in the barrel.
- Install a piece of mesh to act as a leaf catcher for your eaves troughs.
- If the top of your rain barrel is open, put a separate cover or screen to keep out insects, animals and children.
- Empty it completely once a week. This will kill all mosquito larvae that may be in your barrel.
- Keep your barrel free of organic material.