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Conserving Water This Summer
On average, Toronto residents see about a 20 percent jump in their water usage each summer—pair that with more hanging out at home this year, and your water bill might just surprise you. Obviously, hotter weather comes with specific needs that we simply don’t have in the winter, like thirstier lawns, dryer garden beds, and cooling off with sprinklers, pools, and water games.
Spring and summer is also the season to work on exterior projects, clean up dirty patios and siding, power wash items, scrub down the car, and wash the family dog. Fortunately, practicing good water conservation doesn’t have to come at the cost of any of those activities. While our water use might grow in the summer, so do the opportunities to save it. See what conserving water might do for you.
Spring and summer is also the season to work on exterior projects, clean up dirty patios and siding, power wash items, scrub down the car, and wash the family dog. Fortunately, practicing good water conservation doesn’t have to come at the cost of any of those activities. While our water use might grow in the summer, so do the opportunities to save it. See what conserving water might do for you.
How to Conserve Water in Your Yard
Conserving water doesn’t haven’t to be complicated. Here are eight simple ways to conserve water that will keep your carbon footprint as green as your lawn.
- Check for Leaks – Springing a leak can add up quickly. And with the cool-to-hot-to-frozen weather patterns of Ontario’s springtime, it’s not all that uncommon of an occurrence. During your spring and summer cleaning, make sure you dedicate some time to check all your outdoor faucets, piping, and water features. Monitor for drips, cracks, leaks, water pressure changes, and more. If you notice any damages, make repairs right away. If your water meter is leaking, or you suspect that there’s a leak in the city’s line of supply to your home, you may want to contact the city about next steps.
- Install Professional Irrigation System – Probably one of the largest outdoor water sucks is the garden hose. Most people, in an attempt for a greener lawn, actually overwater their landscaping—leading to weed growth, disease, fungus, stunted growth, and (obviously) wasted water. Most lawns only require about an inch of water per week (including rainwater), yet it isn’t unlikely to find neighbors outside daily with the watering hose. Installing a professional irrigation system equipped with smart rain-sensing technology can ensure that you provide your lawn and plants with exact measurements of water and never doubles-up on watering after a storm.
- Keep Up With Pool Maintenance – If you own a pool, you are probably already acquainted with higher water bills each summer. However, with a few good habits and some new tips, you can cut back unnecessary water waste and still maintain a clean, full pool to jump into after a long, hot day. Some of the most effective ways to save pool water are: utilizing your pool cover to avoid water evaporation, avoiding accidental overflow when filling up or topping off, checking for leaks and repairing them promptly, and not emptying your pool completely when closing for the winter.
- Go To The Car Wash – When the sun shines, and the warm weather hits, we can be tempted to take car washing matters into our hands. However, while the idea of washing your car at home might sound like a money saver, it could be costing more than you think. Running hoses for the duration of the wash can waste hundreds of gallons of water, whereas many car washes use a more measured and efficient system. If you’re pulling out the classic, though, and insist giving it your own thorough clean, conserve water by filling up a bucket of sudsy water for washing and only switch on the hose for rinsing.
- Collect Rain Water – A growing water conservation trend involves setting up rain buckets to collect rainwater that can be used watering plants, lawns, and gardens. If you do opt to install a rain catcher, though, you should be careful to make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to keep it clean, safe, and debris-free. Sitting water can promote algae and mold growth. It can also become a breeding ground for mosquitos if not appropriately managed.
- Section Your Garden – The types of vegetation you plant and where you plant them can all play a role in water waste. If you have flowers that require consistent watering mixed with hardy plants and shrubs, you’re likely wasting water on plants that don’t need it. Not only does this use up precious resources, but it can also cause your plants to suffer. Instead, planting flowers and plants with similar water requirements can help you water more mindfully and avoid drowning plants with lower water needs. Sectioning your landscape this way can also make things less complicated, and possibly more cost-effective when installing a professional drip irrigation system.
- Choose “Easy” Plants – With the drastic mood swings of Toronto’s weather, it usually fares better to choose hardier plants that resist the extremes. However, selecting shrubs, trees, and plants that are also labeled as drought-resistant can ease water requirements during hotter, dryer summer weeks. Plus, it can make for super easy, low-maintenance landscaping.
- Have Your Irrigation System Serviced – Professional irrigation systems can drastically reduce water waste when running properly. However, if a piece of the system has become damaged (perhaps through poor winterizing), the efficiency of your sprinkler system could be jeopardized. Investing in a seasonal maintenance plan guarantees that you’ll have a clean, properly-functioning, and efficient system. It also reduces the occurrence of silly mistakes or oversights that can lead to big problems down the line.
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Mike Moran
Hello! I'm one of the co-owner's of GTA Irrigation & Lighting. I write about topics that will help you get the most of of your outdoor living spaces. You can get all of my new articles sent direct to your inbox, just subscribe below.