• 311 Self Service
• Site Map

Water conservation
Multi-family residential water saving tips

General water saving suggestions

• Read the meter weekly to monitor water use and waste.
• Increase tenant awareness of water conservation.
• Install signs encouraging water conservation in stairways and elevators
• Determine the quantity and purpose of water being used.
• Assign a tenant to monitor their water use and waste.
• Seek tenant suggestions on water conservation. Put suggestion boxes in prominent areas.

Saving water with building maintenance

• Check frequently for leaks in faucets and pipes and keep them drip-free. Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can often be repaired with only an inexpensive washer. Even the smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 75 or more litres a day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of litres of water before the problem is found and repaired.
• Turn off any unnecessary flows.
• Install faucet aerators when possible. This can reduce the flow out of taps by up to 50%. These easy to install devices are available from us or your local plumbing retailer.
• Minimize the water used in cooling equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Shut off cooling units when not needed.
• Replace existing toilets with new low flush models. New toilets use only 6 litres per flush while older toilets can use over 20 litres per flush. Two people, each using the bathroom 5 times per day, can waste up to approximately 140 litres per unit every day (2 x 5 x 14 = 140)
• The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association lists the maximum performance tests of popular low flush toilet models on their free publications page.
• Check toilets for leaks. Put a little food color or a dye tablet in the toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.
• Install toilet water saving devices. Early closure toilet flappers or toilet dams are available from us or your local plumbing retailer. These devices can save 4 to 8 litres of water with every flush.
• Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Every cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash flushed is 6 to 20 litres of water wasted.
• Install water saving showerheads. These easy to install devices are available from us or your local plumbing retailer. They can save up to 20 litres of water per minute.
• Use your automatic dishwasher only for full loads.
• As appliances or fixtures wear out, replace them with water-saving models.

Saving water outside

• Water the lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if the lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, fetch the sprinkler.
• Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning generally is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus.
• Deep-soak the lawn. When you do water, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.
• Don't water the sidewalk. Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden - not on paved areas.
• Avoid watering on windy days.
• Xeriscape (pronounced: ZEER-iss-skape) by planting drought-resistant trees and plants. Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less water than other species.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture and also discourage weed growth.
• Remove weeds and unhealthy plants. This way, the plants will fully benefit from the water saved.
• Keep the grass long. Longer grass provides shade for the roots and holds water better than shorter grass.
• Be aware of what the plants need. In the spring and fall, most plants need about half the amount of water needed during the summer.
• Use a broom - not a hose - to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Check frequently for leaks in hoses and couplings and keep them drip-free. Leaks outside may not seem as bad since they're not as visible, but they are just as wasteful as leaks inside.

The ideas presented above are suggestions and not intended as an endorsement by the City of Winnipeg Water and Waste Department of any method, process or specific product.