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Sources & Supply
Quality & Treatment
Conservation & Reservoir Levels
Reservoir Levels
Lawn Sprinkling Regulations
Residential Water Conservation
Planning

Residential Water Conservation 
Conserving water can save substantial amounts of money over the long term by allowing Metro Vancouver to delay the expansion of the drinking water system. This also allows money to be spent on improvements to the existing system and water quality rather than being used for expansion.

How to check for leaks
Even if you are carefully watching your water usage, you could still be using a lot of extra water due to leaking appliances or plumbing fixtures. It is important to make sure that water is not slipping away due to undetected leaks in your system.
Leaking Toilets
The toilet is a common source of unnoticed leaks. Undetected, hundreds of litres of water can be wasted each day. Often leaks occur when the toilet is out of adjustment or parts are worn. To tell if your toilet is leaking:
- Listen carefully to it. If you hear the sound of running water, your toilet is leaking.
- Add food colouring or dye to the toilet tank and wait 20 minutes. If coloured water appears in the toilet bowl, a leak is present. Toilet leaks are not hard to fix, and you can ask for advice at your local hardware store or call a plumber.

Leaking Faucets & Pipes
Remember to check all faucets and pipes periodically. Watch for drips, and quickly replace faulty parts. A leaking faucet can waste from 280 to 750 L of water in a week.

Electronic Sensory Devices
These devices can be purchased at your local hardware store and placed under major household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines that may spring leaks. The device alerts you as soon as water starts to collect underneath.

Residential Water Use Chart

Typical water use inside the home
Fixture/ApplianceRange of Litres Used
 Drips
Fast drips750 litres per week
Steady stream3785 litres per week
 Indoors
Toilet flush6 to 30 litres per flush
Fraction of leaking toiletsup to 30%
Showering5.7 to 18.9 litres per minute
Bathtub115 to 190 litres per full tub
Washing machine170 to 190 litres per cycle
Dishwasher40 to 55 litres per cycle
Kitchen faucet7.6 to 11.3 litres per minute
Bathroom faucet7.6 to 11.3 litres per minute
Slow & steady drips280 litres per week
 Outdoors
Car washingapproximately 400 litres per car
Lawn watering10 to 35 litres per minute
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Resources

Fast Facts

  • Use a low-flow shower head: A 15-minute shower can save up to 140 L with a low-flow attachment, while a regular shower can use more than 240 L.
  • The average Lower Mainland resident uses approximately 325 litres of water per day around the home.