It's easy to take water for granted, especially in an area surrounded by lakes. But our supply of water is not endless. Our lakes take 50 years to refill. Using water efficiently will minimize the costs of drinking water treatment, improve water availability for future years, and protect wildlife habitat.
Okanagan Xeriscape Association - Excellent plant database that can help you plan your garden based on plant size, colour, bloom months, size, and spread.
Rain Gardens - Tips on building garden beds irrigated by water from your roof, driveway, patio, or any other hard surface you can direct stormwater from.
Learn more ways to use water efficiently by visiting www.okwaterwise.ca and do a Performance Review on your water.
Greater Vernon Water has developed Water Use Restrictions to help residents use water more efficiently. Stage 1 Restrictions are in effect year-round, meaning that outdoor lawn and garden watering is only allowed between 7pm and 10am, unless hand watering with a watering can or hose with an automatic spring-loaded shut-off nozzle. Higher restriction stages may be implemented in times of drought or supply loss due to contamination of our water supply.
Leaking toilets are the most widespread leak. This sometimes happens when the reservoir level is too high. The water leaks into the overflow tube, and into the toilet bowl. You may be able to fix this by adjusting the float arm screw, or bending the float arm down. Also when the flapper valves get old and brittle or the flapper valve is not filling the hole properly a toilet will leak. To diagnose this problem, pour two or three drops of food colouring into the tank. If you notice the dye in the bowl 15 minutes later, you have a leak. A new flapper valve may be required.
Automatic water purifiers, reverse osmosis devices, or water softeners can also develop leaks that do not show up on the floor. Each of these devices should have their own shut off valve. If your snoop indicator is turning, turn off each of the suspected appliances one by one. If the snoop indicator stops when one of the isolation valves is off, you've found your leak.
Okanagan WaterWise - Visit this site for tips on how to be waterwise at home, school, and work.