Water conservation

Water conservation helps protect drinking water and community supplies. Reducing water use also lowers the energy required to pump, treat and heat it, while easing pressure on municipal systems during dry or high-demand periods. It also helps maintain healthy rivers, wetlands and fish habitats, supporting the natural environment across New Brunswick.

• fix dripping taps, running toilets and outdoor spigots fast, leaks can waste hundreds of litres of water
• install efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads, aerators and watersense-type toilets
• use smart laundry and dish washing practices like running full loads or choosing shorter and cooler cycles when possible
• shorten showers and turn off taps while brushing teeth, shaving or washing your face
• capture water while waiting for hot or cold water from taps or showers for plants or household cleaning

• reduce water loss by evaporation: outside of drought conditions, water lawns and gardens early morning to reduce losses 
• prioritize care of trees and shared community plants, as they are harder to replace and provide shade and environmental benefits
• choose native/drought-enduring plants and add mulch to retain soil moisture
• collect runoff from your roof for gardens and trees using barrels and cisterns
• sweep, don’t hose driveways and decks
• check hoses and irrigation systems for leaks each season
• do not overfill your pool and use a pool cover to prevent evaporation
• during drought periods avoid filling swimming pools, hot tubs or ice rinks

Homeowners who rely on private wells can play an important role in protecting local groundwater. Spacing out high water-demand activities, such as laundry, showers or outdoor watering, helps prevent pump strain and excessive water level drawdown. Contact a licensed well driller to discuss options to improve the reliability and efficiency of your well during low-water periods. It is also important to keep fuels, fertilizers, and other contaminants well away from the wellhead to protect the safety of your drinking water. 

• install water meters in single buildings and sub-meters in multi-unit complexes to track group and individual consumption patterns, identify losses, and promote water use efficiency
• identify where most water is used (such as for cooling, cleaning or production) to better manage and adjust consumption accordingly
• fix leaks and insulate hot-water pipes
• upgrade to water-efficient fixtures and equipment (and reuse/recirculate clean water from processes when possible)
• train staff and post regular reminders to encourage using only the amount of water needed
• use flow meters to monitor water withdrawals from streams or brooks and ensure that usage does not exceed actual needs

Communities and property managers can significantly reduce water demand through smart design and proactive maintenance. Replacing high-maintenance lawns with native groundcovers or drought-tolerant landscaping helps lower irrigation needs. 

Smart irrigation controllers, and soil-moisture sensors ensure that plants are watered only when necessary. The controlled irrigation should be completed in the early mornings (6 am to 9 am). The watering should be deep enough to touch the root system and reduce evaporation losses. Also, automated systems for routine leak detection in water distribution networks (such as irrigation and drinking water pipelines) and regular review of water bills can identify problems early, preventing waste and unnecessary costs while supporting a culture of conservation.

• Follow any local watering rules or schedules that may be set by your local government,  If you are unsure, contact your local government. 
• Focus on essential water uses and delay non-essential ones (like watering lawns or washing cars) during dry periods. 

Plan for drought by reviewing your household water use. It's important to care for your water supply year-round not just in times of water shortage.