Water Conservation

Using water wisely helps reduce your utility bill and protects our water supply. Here are simple ways to save water at home and outdoors.

Residential customers can receive a rebate when replacing older high-volume toilets with low-flow models.

The program is administered by ACAP Cape Breton. Learn more and apply at Low Flow Toilet Rebate.

• Water lawns, gardens, and outdoor plants early in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation and waste. Discoloured or brownish lawns are common during hot, sunny weather. Lawns usually recover after rainfall.
• Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for gardens and outdoor plants.
• Raise your lawn mower blade height. Longer grass helps shade roots and hold moisture.
• Use a hose nozzle so you can stop and start water flow easily.
• Check outdoor hoses and faucets for leaks. A slow drip can waste hundreds of litres over a season.

• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. If the number changes, you likely have a leak.
• Fix dripping taps promptly, especially hot water taps, which increase heating costs.
• Test your toilet for leaks by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
• Install low-flow showerheads and keep your showers short.
• Upgrade older toilets. New models use much less water per flush and save money over time.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full.
• Choose the correct load size on your washing machine when doing laundry.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce flow without affecting performance.
• Avoid running a tap to prevent freezing. Instead, insulate basements, crawl spaces and exposed plumbing, including around your water meter.