Let’s be water-wise!
Washing your hands, cleaning the dishes and flushing the toilet are all daily actions you do that require clean and safe water. The City of Vaughan, together with communities across North America, invites you to learn about the value of water and sustainability today on Imagine a Day Without Water.
Water is a precious resource, and it’s crucial everyone does their part to help protect and conserve it. Simple water conservation practices not only save you money on your water and wastewater bill, but also help ensure safe and clean water for generations to come.
Follow these easy water-saving tips from the City:
- Limit showers to five minutes. Showers can waste 10 to 20 litres of water every minute.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.
- Water your lawn or garden only when needed. Depending on the weather, time of year or type of plants or turf, you may only need to water once or twice per week.
- Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater that can be used for watering gardens.
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean your driveway and walkways.
- Turn the hose off if you take a break while washing your car.
- Check for leaks in toilets, pipes, hoses and faucets. Leaks outside the home can be as wasteful and costly as leaks inside the home.
Want to learn more about how much water
is used in your household daily? Use this online water calculator. You can also read the City’s water-wise brochure (PDF) for more water conservation tips.
Vaughan’s water, wastewater and stormwater systems
A lot goes on behind the scenes to ensure safe and clean water comes out of the tap every time you turn it on. The City builds, maintains and rehabilitates infrastructure to provide long-lasting access to clean water, wastewater and stormwater services – an infrastructure system valued at more than $2.6 billion.
Water
Vaughan's water comes from Lake Ontario, which is first treated by the City of Toronto and Region of Peel, then supplied to Vaughan by York Region. York Region owns and operates large metering chambers, pumping stations, storage reservoirs and large watermains to provide water to Vaughan. The City owns and operates booster stations, watermains, fire hydrants and service connections to help distribute fresh and clean water to Vaughan residents and businesses. In York Region, approximately 85 per cent of water is sourced from Lake Ontario, three per cent from Lake Simcoe and 12 per cent from groundwater. To learn more about the City’s water services, visit vaughan.ca/water.
Wastewater
Wastewater is “used” water sent down a drain from ordinary habits like bathing, toilet flushing and laundry. Vaughan’s wastewater moves through over 45 kilometres of sewer pipes before it reaches York Region's Duffin Creek Treatment Plant. Treatment plants remove contaminants from wastewater and then release the treated water back into Lake Ontario. To learn more about the City’s wastewater services, visit vaughan.ca/wastewater.
Stormwater
The City’s stormwater system includes more than 1,000 kilometres of pipes, approximately 22,000 catch basins, more than 150 stormwater management ponds and over 150 kilometres of natural creek system. Storm sewers carry stormwater (rain and melted snow) away from homes, roads and other surfaces, such as paved driveways, patios and parking lots, through large grates on the ground known as catch basins. Stormwater is not treated at a treatment facility before it goes back into stormwater ponds and then the environment. To learn more about the City’s stormwater services, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.
The City of Vaughan is committed to protecting the environment and fostering a sustainable future while delivering Service Excellence, as outlined in the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. Recognizing the Imagine a Day Without Water initiative is an opportunity to highlight the City’s commitment to exceptional citizen service and city building and to reinforce sustainable behaviours.
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