Water use in Calgary…what can you do?

By: Aaron Boulton-Chaykowski, City of Calgary Water Services

Did you know that the average volume of water used daily per person in the city of Calgary last year was 422 litres per capita per day (LPCD)? This number includes both business and residential use in Calgary. Everyone contributes to water consumption at home, at work, and in the services we use everyday. At home, the average Calgarian (on a water meter) uses 7 m3 (7000L) each month. That means a family of four without new low-flow fixtures uses about 28 m3 (28000L) of water each month. Check your last utility bill and see how you stack up.

In 2003, The City of Calgary decided it would be necessary to reduce the municipal demand for water while allowing for continued population and industrial growth in the future. The Water Efficiency Plan, also known as 30-in-30, was developed with the goal of maintaining withdraws from the Bow and Elbow rivers at 2003 levels for the next 30 years. So far The City of Calgary is on track to meet its 30-in-30 goal.

One way The City of Calgary has been able to reduce water demand has been to provide better leak detection in our city's water distribution system. All municipalities have water losses in their distribution infrastructure which must be constantly monitored and repaired. Leaks are usually due to a combination of pipe age, pipe material, soil conditions, seasonal temperature and freeze/thaw action. Last year about 22 litres of water per Calgarian were saved through distribution system leak detection and repairs.

At home you can do your part! Did you know it is estimated that one in four toilets silently leak possibly losing up to 28 bathtubs of water each month? A single leaking toilet could be costing you $100 each year.

Take a few minutes and check your toilets for leaks. You may not be able to hear or see leaks, so try the following:

1. Lift the lid of your toilet tank and observe the water level in the tank. If the water level is at or above the height of the overflow tube (you may see water slipping over the edge of the overflow tube) turn your float rod adjusting screw to drop the water level in your tank to one or two centimeters below the top of the overflow tube. If you need help go to the City of Calgary website and enter 'leaks' in the search bar.

2. With the lid off the tank and the tank water level adjusted properly, place a few drops of food coloring in your tank and wait for five minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color you have a flapper leak! Turn the water to your toilet off and replace the flapper with a new one as soon as possible. Make sure to take your old flapper to the plumbing store so you can get the right flapper for your toilet.

3. Even if you find no sign of leaks, your toilet may be flushing with 13L or more per flush. Well-designed technology has been developed to flush with far less (6L - 3L) and will go a long ways to save you money that you are otherwise flushing down the drain. Find out how you can get a $50 rebate on these low-flush toilets at http://www.calgary.ca/toilet