The choices Canadians make every day can help to protect our water sources. Choices range from individual actions such as taking used engine oil and other household hazardous waste to a proper waste facility, to collective efforts of Canadians working together to develop watershed-based source protection plans.

At Home

• Fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use from 30 to 45 litres per cycle. Washing by hand uses about the same, each time you wash, so use the dishwasher once a day and save. 
• Turn your taps off tightly but gently so they don't drip. And repair any leaks in and around your taps and faucets without delay.
• You can save 10 to 20 litres of water each time you shave by filling the basin, instead of letting the water run continuously. 
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and use short bursts of water for rinsing.
• Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use it as a wastebasket for tissue etc., and never flush paints, solvents or other chemicals down the toilet.
• An automatic clothes washer can use from 150 to 250 litres of water for each cycle. That's about 20% of total indoor water use. If you're investing in a washing machine, consider one of the new water efficient machines.

See Environment Canada's Interactive Water Conservation Tips for more information.

Outdoors

• Lawn and Landscaping: The average suburban lawn may need about 100 000 litres of water in a growing season. The best time to water is in the early morning – after the dew has dried – or in the late afternoon. Watering at these times cuts down on losses to evaporation. After a heavy rain, you may not need to water for a week or more.
• Water from the sky is free, so make use of it. Cisterns are perfect for catching rain-water from the roof for use on your lawn or garden. Channel downspouts into barrels, buckets, or holding tanks, to collect water for later use.
• Car Washing: Using a running hose to wash your car can waste about 400 litres of water. Using a bucket with a sponge plus a trigger nozzle on the hose will save you about 300 of those litres. And, never clean the driveway or sidewalk with the hose. Use a rake and broom and save about 200 litres of water every time you sweep.
• Pool:  If you own a pool, be sure to use a pool cover when it's not in use. This will cut down on evaporative losses and will keep it cleaner and warmer. Check equipment such as filtration systems and water inlets on a regular basis for signs of leaks. 
• Retrofit Your Lawn! The secret to keeping green while reducing water use is in a low maintenance landscape. This means keeping thirsty turf grass to a minimum – or replacing it instead with either native ground covers or flower beds, patios and walkways.

Sourced from Water: No Time to Waste