APRIL 2012
April 28 marks one final chance to get a rain barrel
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he Region of Waterloo is offering its final truckload sale of rain barrels on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The barrels will be sold beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Conestoga Mall in Fairview Waterloo, Park Mall in Kitchener and Cambridge Centre. The cost is $40 per barrel and there is a limit of one barrel per person, per household. Please bring proof of your address to receive your barrel.
proved so popular that it was extended for several years, but 2012 will finally see the
curtain drop on the program. “The rain barrel program has been a wonderful opportunity to engage the community and work together to conserve water,” said Water Efficiency Manager Steve Gombos. “But it is now time to pursue other avenues in rainwater harvesting to achieve even greater savings.” New for 2012 is the beige, 208-litre Orbis rain barrel. It is the third barrel offered by the Region over the years: the green barrels were distributed for the first 10 years and the brown, urn-style barrel were used in 2011. This year’s barrel is a high quality product with excellent attachments, a large capture zone and a neutral colour.
The rain barrel distribution program began in 2001 with the goal of introducing residents of Waterloo Region to the concept of conserving water for outdoor uses by harvesting rainwater instead of using treated drinking water to water lawns, gardens and wash cars. The program
For more information, please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/water or call 519-575-4021. Don’t miss out on this last chance to get a rain barrel from the Region.
Region partners with Guelph to offer facts on water softeners R esidents of Waterloo Region and the City of Guelph rely heavily on groundwater as their main source of drinking water. The resulting hard water leaves most residents opting to put water softeners in their home to prevent build-up of minerals in pipes and appliances and to improve the feel of shower water. Not all water softeners are created the same though and it can be a daunting task to sort through all of the information one can find about water softeners. Do they work? What technology is the best? How much salt and water do they use? The latter question is the main reason the Region and Guelph partnered to create www.watersoftenerfacts.ca; a onestop, independent source for the information you need to help you decide what option to choose for your home. The site includes results of tests conducted locally to measure which softener models are most efficient in terms of their salt and water use. Choosing a softener that uses less salt helps keep sodium and chlorides out of water flowing to wastewater treatment plants and the reduced water consumption helps extend our drinking water capacity. And best of all, it saves you money! The site also offers a wealth of background information on water
The water softener testing rig.
softeners, including how they work, how to properly size them for your home and a glossary of terms to help you understand the concepts involved. One great feature of the site is the hardness map tool for Waterloo Region and the City of Guelph. You can locate your home on the map and the hardness of the water at that location so that you can properly set your water softener. Setting it improperly or buying a softener that isn’t the right size for your home greatly reduces the efficiency of your softener and increases the cost to you. “Residents now have an unbiased source of information on water softeners to help them make informed decisions for their home,” said Water Services Technologist Wayne Brabazon of the Region of Waterloo. “If residents buy efficient water softeners, they will also help save the environment.”
For more information on water softeners, please visit www.watersoftenerfacts.ca, or call 519-575-4757, x3558.
Environmental information on protecting water and reducing waste
Tap Water – ours to drink! hile on the go, remember to bring your reusable water bottle to fill with refreshing and healthy tap water.
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drink from one of its water fountains. For a list of participating events, visit www.waterontap.ca.
Why drink tap water?
The Region makes drinking tap water an even
more convenient choice through these programs.
• A healthy beverage choice • Affordable – less than a penny per glass • Convenient – close at hand, easy to access • Environmentally friendly option Look for this symbol at participating businesses and public buildings. The Blue W tells you this location will refill your reusable bottles with tap water for free. To find a Blue W location, visit www.BlueW.org. When heading out to one of the many outdoor events this summer, look for the water wagon. Refill your reusable bottle with free tap water or enjoy a refreshing
Region strives to keep water clean T he Region of Waterloo is developing policies to protect your drinking water sources. The policies will require or encourage property owners who live in areas close to a municipal supply well to implement best management practices for activities such as managing fuel, chemicals, manure and/or road salt. In certain areas, some of these activities may not be allowed in the future.
Region recognized by Ontario Parks Association Tomorrow Protecting A Today ward
Presented to
Waterloo The RegioJanuanryof 9th, 2012 ution to in recognition of your significant contrib ment the betterment of parks and the environ able sustain ing through your leadership in protect the region. in courses water and underground water systems
Paul Ronan OPA Executive Director
Bill Harding OPA Board President
T
he Region of Waterloo received the “Protecting Tomorrow Today®” award from the Ontario Parks Association for its work to reduce salt used for de-icing of parking lots, roads and walkways. Salt can have long term effects on our environment, vegetation, and our waterways. To learn more, visit www.smartaboutsalt.com.
These policies will be part of the Grand River watershed’s Source Protection Plan. The Source Protection Plan and the process used to develop it are governed by the Clean Water Act. There is a Plan being developed for each watershed across Ontario.
To learn more about the Clean Water Act and the Source Protection Plan, including public consultation sessions, please visit www.sourcewater.ca.
Water Conservation By-law around the corner S ummer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to refresh yourself on the rules of the Water Conservation Bylaw. Each residence has one day per week to water lawns which is determined by the last digit of your home address (see chart opposite). Everyone may water gardens, wash cars and perform other outdoor water activities every other day. Odd-numbered addresses (e.g. 51 King St.) may water gardens and wash cars on odd dates (eg. June 7) while even-numbered addresses (e.g. 52 King St.) may do so on even-numbered dates (e.g. June 8). And all watering must be done between 5:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. For more information, please visit wwwregionofwaterloo.ca/water or call 519-575-4495.
Water Services contact info:
Editor:
Water Efficiency 150 Frederick Street, 7th Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Water Quality and Supply Questions: 519-575-4757 ext. 3155 Water Efficiency: 519-575-4021 TTY: 519-575-4608 watercycle@regionofwaterloo.ca www.regionofwaterloo.ca/water
Water Services: Graphic Designer:
Dan Meagher, 519-575-4423 Pat Dusseldorp, 519-575-4599 Corporate Publishing
Environews - April 2012
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