Maximum Daily Demand is a measure of peak demand on the Water Treatment Plant. It is stated as the number of millions of litres supplied in one day during the period of maximum summer demand. (Technically, the measure is not the quantity of water delivered during a 24-hour period on the single day with the highest demand, but rather the average of a four-day period that includes the day with the highest demand.) Maximum Daily Demand has implications for how much water is drawn from the river, the amount of energy used to treat and deliver water to customers, and, especially, the potential need to build a second Water Treatment Plant in coming years or to undertake extensive and costly upgrades to the current Plant. Hot and dry summers and population growth impact how much water needs to be treated and distributed. Daily demand can increase by more than 50% in the summer compared to the winter.
Maximum Daily Demand has been trending upwards since 2010, but remains below levels seen in the mid-2000s.
The City of Saskatoon has conservation-oriented rates to reduce peak water use. For residents this means that higher water use results in paying higher rates. For commercial customers a flat rate is applied based on water use, without a bulk water use discount.
The City’s water conservation education program helps educate residents on how to reduce outdoor water use in the summer, which can increase by as much as 50%.
The City of Saskatoon is in the process of developing a strategy to reduce water use in city owned facilities and operations, which includes ways to reduce demands associated with hot, dry summer weather such as irrigation and recreation.
Use the most effective outdoor watering and gardening methods to grow a healthy yard.
Check your home for leaks. Some of the most common source of leaks are toilets, faucets, irrigation systems, and pools.