One drop at a time

How can I save water every day?

Water, a precious resource to be preserved

Water, a vital and omnipresent resource in our lives, is often consumed without thought. Canada in general, and Quebec in particular, is a major consumer of water. Quebecers find themselves in the unenviable position of being one of the world’s biggest consumers of drinking water, and the 2nd largest in the West, behind the United States.

Yet water is a finite resource; less than half of the world’s drinking water reserves are renewable. Responsible water management is therefore essential to preserving our ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future. So the question is: what can we, as citizens, do to save drinking water and help protect the environment?

Simple steps to save water

There’s no such thing as a small action when it comes to preserving water. It’s never too early, and children are never too young, to take action that counts, whether it’s a change of habit or a choice of equipment. For example, did you know that a 12-minute shower uses as much water as a bath?

Here are a few easy actions you can incorporate into your daily routine and adopt for the whole family:

Save water in your daily activities

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or doing the dishes, and you’ll save 10 liters of water per use.
Reduce the duration of your showers to less than 5 minutes to limit your consumption to around 50 liters instead of 150 liters for a bath.
Quickly repair leaks, which can waste up to 50 liters of water a day for a single drop.

Adopt water-saving equipment

Investing in water-efficient equipment is an effective way to reduce your environmental impact:

Install water-saving devices on your taps and showerheads, limiting their flow to 5.7 L/min or less.
Replace your toilets with eco-friendly models that consume only 6 L per flush, or less.
Use a barrel to collect rainwater and water your plants and garden.

Contribute to your local environment

Take part in or organize shoreline clean-ups to collect litter and protect our waterways.
Plant native plants in your garden or on riverbanks. These plants require less water and promote biodiversity.

Change your transport and eating habits

Take your bike to school or work several times a week to reduce your ecological footprint.
Buy local and seasonal produce to encourage a responsible economy and limit water waste linked to production and transport.

Raising awareness and educating those around you

Talk about climate change and possible actions with your family and friends.
Encourage your children to get involved in environmental projects, such as their school’s green committee.

The impact of small gestures

Changing your habits can have a significant impact. Here are a few concrete examples of how simple changes can save water:

Habits to change	Suggested alternative	Water savings achieved
Take a bath (150 L)	Shower for less than 10 minutes (50 L)	100 L per shower
Wash the car with a watering can (300 L)	Use boiler and hose with spray gun (70 L)	230 L per wash
Water the lawn (400 L)	Use a rainwater collector (50 L)	350 L per watering
Leave water running while brushing teeth (10 L)	Turn off tap between uses	10 L per use
Household water leaks (50 L/day)	Repair leaks quickly	50 L per leak/day
Watering the lawn in bright sunlight	Water early in the morning or evening to limit evaporation	60% of water conserved

One drop at a time, let's protect our JOY'water

Every gesture, no matter how small, contributes to preserving water as an essential resource. Whether you turn off the tap, install water-saving equipment or educate those around you, you can make a real difference.

C.I.EAU invites you to take action today: