Plumbers Offer Calgarians the Best Advice on Saving Water and Money

Residents of Calgary might assume that the city has abundant water, but our water supply is under stress. You can help reduce this stress by enacting water saving measures in your home, with the help of your local plumber.

The State of Calgary’s Water Supply

According to a City of Calgary Waterworks and Wastewater report, the growing population of this city, recent droughts, and agricultural demands downstream of the Bow and Elbow rivers are the causes of the water supply’s stress. Average per capita use of water sits at about 516 L per day. To ensure our supplies can keep up with demand, that number needs to drop to about 330 L per day.

There are a number of easy and inexpensive water conservation options available to help each of us reduce the amount of water we use on a daily basis. Some of these are outlined here. For professional advice and installation, you may want to consult a plumber. A licensed plumber has the expertise to assess your home’s water needs and offer you a solution that meets those needs while increasing efficiency.

Talk to Your Plumber About Low Flow and High Efficiency

Let’s start with one of the easiest fixes – toilets. Low-flow toilets can cut your water use by a huge amount. According to Natural Resources Canada, replacing your 18L toilet with a 6L model will reduce the amount of water flushed by 66% and lower your overall indoor water use by about 30%. Another great innovation is the dual-flush toilet – use the short flush for smaller amounts of waste and the longer (but still only 6L) flush for larger amounts of waste. As an added incentive, the City of Calgary is currently offering a $50 credit on your water bill for each toilet you replace.

Low-flow showerheads are another economical and easy fix (at least for a plumber!). Basic models can cut water use by up to 70% and they only cost about $10. Not only do you save water, you can also save up to 15% on the cost of heating your water.

Speaking of heating your water, your plumber can you help you there too. While it may not save water, a high-efficiency water heater will reduce your energy costs. Ask your plumber to evaluate your home and your typical water use when determining the size of water heater you need. There’s no sense buying a large tank if you don’t need it.

Running your tap while waiting for water to heat can waste up to 10L of water. The City of Calgary estimates the amount of water wasted in this way to equal about 3 bathtubs full each month! To help keep the water in your pipes warm, ask your plumber about insulating your pipes. A hot water recirculation pump can help too, by moving cold water near the tap back to the water heater and replacing it with warm water, to ensure that the water near the tap is warmer.

If you have old appliances and some money in your budget, look into an Energy Star washer and dishwasher. Some models use up to 45% less water. The City of Calgary and Energy Solutions Alberta are currently offering a rebate for energy saving dishwashers.

Your Plumber is Your Partner in Water and Energy Savings

Saving water benefits your family and your community. For advice on how to get started on a water conservation program, contact your local plumber.