In BC, 12% of our potable water is used in buildings. Water efficiency measures reduce the amount of potable water used, the wastewater discharged and the costs associated with these services.

For Metro Vancouver, a large number of buildings adopting water efficiency measures can help defer or reduce the costs of developing or replacing infrastructure. For maximum effect, an integrated water conservation strategy should include as many of these elements as possible:

• landscape design (using drought-tolerant and/or native species), 
• rainwater harvesting for irrigation and flushing toilets, 
• greywater recycling from sinks, laundry and showers, and 
• water saving fixtures and fittings such as ultra low flush or dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, composting toilets, and high-efficiency irrigation systems.

Water conservation best practices in action:
The CK Choi Building at UBC is a local success story where environmental features such as composting toilets were used. This waterless system enables the building to be disconnected from the sanitary system, saving over 6800 L of potable water per day and reducing the volume of waste by more than 90%. The end product is a humus-like soil amendment product that is rich in nitrogen and other useful elements.