Save Water Outdoors

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Quick Facts Affordability Cost Savings CO2 Reduction		Being water wise in your outdoor water use can save hundreds of litres of water each year. In B.C., we can take advantage of the higher rainfall averages to help us reduce the overall amount of water needed to maintain our gardens and lawns throughout the year. We can also collect this rain to reduce the amount of potable water used for irrigation. If you have a pool or hot tub, implementing efficiency measures will reduce water use and could lead to significant energy savings. Affordability Many of the ways to save water outdoors are relatively simple, may require some initial planning in order to keep your lawn and garden thriving. Cost savings Insulating all around a pool or hot tub and using a fitted cover when not in use can save anywhere from 10-25% of the energy use. Using gravity fed drip irrigation or solar powered water pumps reduces energy needs, and costs, for automated irrigation. Environmental considerations More than 40% of residential treated drinking water is used outdoors. Collecting rainwater reduces use of potable water to irrigate lawns and gardens during the drier summer months.

What you need to know

In the garden
On the lawn
Pools and hot tubs
Other Outdoor use
Xeriscaping
Solar pool heaters

Basic watering tips for your garden

• For landscaping, use drought-resistant plants and shrubs that are suitable for the seasonal conditions in your area.
• Water your garden early in the morning to avoid evaporation and scorched leaves.
• Use a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers. The drip system minimizes water loss through evaporation. In addition it directs the water to the plants' roots, which promotes a stronger root system and better drought resistance.
• If you do use sprinklers, set them up properly so they are watering the plants, not the driveway or patio.
• Set timers for your irrigation system so it doesn't run continuously.
• If you use a hose to water, use one with a water-saving water gun spray head and shut off nozzle.
• Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater. For best results, make sure to set up your rain barrel properly.
• Add mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and keep plants cool during the summer and protect against frost in the winter.
• Use compost to build up your soil. Rich soil holds more moisture.
• Use swales to boost the water table along key contours on your property. Even flat looking gardens have some slope. Swales can be as small as a few centimetres wide, or more than a metre, depending on your needs.
• Include a pond or other water feature in your garden to use as a water reservoir.
• Plant close together and give each plant the amount of light and heat it can tolerate. For example, squashes planted alongside corn will shade the soil and keep the moisture in.

Water-saving lawn care tips

• Let your lawn go brown during the summer months. A sprinkler uses up to 1,300 litres of drinking water per hour. If you must water, make sure not to over water your lawn. This wastes water and damages the grass. Mature lawns only need about 2.5 cm of water per week to survive. Place an empty tuna can where you are sprinkling. When it fills up, stop watering. In B.C., relying on natural rainfall is often all you need to maintain your lawn during most seasons.
• Let your grass grow a little longer. This allows the roots to be more shaded so that they hold water better. Set your mower blades to 5-8 cm.
• Leave lawn clippings on the lawn to reduce moisture loss.
• Follow all municipal water restrictions.
• Use compost. Spreading compost on the lawn will provide natural nutrients and increase its moisture retention ability.
• Plant grasses suitable to the seasonal rainfall in your area.
• Reduce the amount of lawn you have, opting instead for patios and vegetable gardens.

Improve the efficiency of your swimming pool, spa or hot tub

• Swimming pools and hot tubs can be big energy users, especially if you keep the water warm in cold weather. If you own a swimming pool, the energy consumption can account for 60% of your summer bills. Aside from devices that monitor your pool's temperature, components such as pumps and filters also consume energy.
• Use a floating swimming pool cover. Evaporation typically causes the largest loss of energy in a swimming pool. A pool cover helps minimize evaporation, which will save water and energy. Ensure the pool is covered at night to reduce your pool heater's operating time. Remove the cover when it's sunny outside to take advantage of solar heating. Using a solar pool cover can further your energy costs by heating your pool naturally.
• Choose a rigid insulation cover for your hot tub. Rigid foam insulating covers are appropriate for hot tubs due to the high water temperature. Insulation of at least RSI 2.1 (R12) is recommended. An electrically heated hot tub will cost about $685 to operate annually if uncovered, compared to $140 for the year with an R12 cover.
• Keep it clean. Ensure your filter remains clear of debris so that it can operate efficiently. A fence around your pool will help prevent debris from entering the pool and act as a windbreak to reduce the rate of evaporation.
• Regardless of your pump system, make sure it is energy-efficient. An efficiency level of at least 82 is recommended.
• Consider running your pool pump less. Reducing the operating hours of your pool pump can be a great way to save energy, although you need to ensure that the water is circulated enough to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Running your pool pump for approximately eight to 12 hours a day should maintain sufficient filtration.
• Do not turn the temperature for your hot tub higher than 39ºC (102ºF). Keep a thermometer in the water to make sure your system is functioning correctly.
• Keep your pool temperature at 26ºC (78ºF). Raising it only a few degrees can add up to hundreds of dollars more per year on heating costs.
• If your hot tub is old, look into replacing the motor with a newer, energy-efficient model.
• Do not splash water unnecessarily out of the spa or pool. It wastes water and energy.
• If you are leaving town, reduce the temperature of your pool or spa to save energy while you are gone.
• If you don't use the pool regularly, don't fill it.
• If you are considering installing a pool, build a natural swimming pond instead. They don't require refilling or chemicals, they provide beauty, plant habitat, and you can use natural sun heat or augment with solar heat. If you already have a pool, consider converting it to a swimming pond.

Other ways to reduce water use outdoors

• Pressure washing your patio might be quick and easy, but it uses a lot of water. You can keep your patio clean with a stiff outdoor broom, a bucket of warm water and a soft scrubber. Sweeping each week, and cleaning up stains as soon as they occur will keep your patio from needing to be pressure washed for years to come.
• Sweeping driveways and sidewalks instead of pressure-washing them will prevent polluted run-off from entering local water sources and reduce water use.
• Wash your car at a commercial car wash instead of washing it at home. Doing this will not only save you hundreds of litres of water per wash, but also prevent pollutants like oil, gas and residue from entering storm drains. Better yet, look for an environmentally friendly car wash in your area.

Taking it further

• Consider xeriscaping your yard. Xeriscaping [PDF, 4.3 Mb] is a form of landscaping that promotes water conservation and reduced maintenance by planting plants, trees and shrubs that require less water.
• Solar pool heating systems: If you own a pool, consider installing a solar pool heating system. Doing so can extend your swimming season and reduce monthly fuel bills, without depleting non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. Once your solar system is installed, there are no more heating bills to pay. For more information, read Natural Resources Canada's An Introduction to Solar Pool Heating Systems.