Environmental information on protecting water and reducing waste

Region partners with Guelph to offer facts on water softenersResidents of Waterloo Region and the

City of Guelph rely heavily ongroundwater as their main source ofdrinking water. The resulting hard waterleaves most residents opting to put watersofteners in their home to prevent build-upof minerals in pipes and appliances and toimprove the feel of shower water.

Not all water softeners are created the samethough and it can be a daunting task to sortthrough all of the information one can findabout water softeners. Do they work? Whattechnology is the best? How much saltand water do they use?

The latter question is the main reasonthe Region and Guelph partnered tocreate www.watersoftenerfacts.ca; a one-stop, independent source for theinformation you need to help youdecide what option to choose for yourhome. The site includes results of testsconducted locally to measure whichsoftener models are most efficient interms of their salt and water use.Choosing a softener that uses less salthelps keep sodium and chlorides out ofwater flowing to wastewater treatmentplants and the reduced waterconsumption helps extend our drinkingwater capacity. And best of all, it savesyou money!

The site also offers a wealth ofbackground information on water

softeners, including how theywork, how to properly size themfor your home and a glossary ofterms to help you understandthe concepts involved. Onegreat feature of the site is thehardness map tool for WaterlooRegion and the City of Guelph.You can locate your home onthe map and the hardness of thewater at that location so thatyou can properly set your watersoftener. Setting it improperly

or buying a softener that isn’tthe right size for your homegreatly reduces the efficiencyof your softener and increasesthe cost to you.

“Residents now have anunbiased source ofinformation on watersofteners to help them makeinformed decisions for theirhome,” said Water ServicesTechnologist Wayne Brabazonof the Region of Waterloo. “Ifresidents buy efficient watersofteners, they will also helpsave the environment.”

For more information onwater softeners, please visitwww.watersoftenerfacts.ca, orcall 519-575-4757, x3558.

APRIL 2012

April 28 marks one final chance to get a rain barrelThe Region of Waterloo is offering its

final truckload sale of rain barrels onSaturday, April 28, 2012.The barrels will be soldbeginning at 7:30 a.m. atConestoga Mall inWaterloo, FairviewPark Mall in Kitchenerand Cambridge Centre.The cost is $40 per barreland there is a limit of onebarrel per person, perhousehold. Please bringproof of your address toreceive your barrel.

The rain barrel distributionprogram began in 2001 withthe goal of introducingresidents of Waterloo Regionto the concept of conservingwater for outdoor uses byharvesting rainwater insteadof using treated drinkingwater to water lawns, gardensand wash cars. The program

proved so popular that it was extended forseveral years, but 2012 will finally see the

curtain drop on the program.

“The rain barrel program has been awonderful opportunity to engage the

community and work together toconserve water,” said WaterEfficiency Manager SteveGombos. “But it is now time topursue other avenues in rainwaterharvesting to achieve even greatersavings.”

New for 2012 is the beige, 208-litreOrbis rain barrel. It is the thirdbarrel offered by the Region overthe years: the green barrels weredistributed for the first 10 yearsand the brown, urn-style barrelwere used in 2011. This year’sbarrel is a high quality productwith excellent attachments, a largecapture zone and a neutral colour.

For more information, please visitwww.regionofwaterloo.ca/wateror call 519-575-4021. Don’t missout on this last chance to get arain barrel from the Region.

The water softener testing rig.

Environews - April 2012

Water Services contact info:Water Efficiency150 Frederick Street, 7th Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3Water Quality and Supply Questions: 519-575-4757 ext. 3155Water Efficiency: 519-575-4021TTY: 519-575-4608watercycle@regionofwaterloo.cawww.regionofwaterloo.ca/water

Editor:Water Services: Dan Meagher, 519-575-4423Graphic Designer: Pat Dusseldorp, 519-575-4599

Corporate Publishing

The Region of Waterloo is developingpolicies to protect your drinking water

sources. The policies will require orencourage property owners who live inareas close to a municipal supply well toimplement best management practices foractivities such as managing fuel, chemicals,manure and/or road salt. In certain areas,some of these activities may not be allowedin the future.

These policies will be part of the Grand Riverwatershed’s Source Protection Plan. TheSource Protection Plan and the process usedto develop it are governed by the CleanWater Act. There is a Plan being developedfor each watershed across Ontario.

To learn more about the Clean Water Actand the Source Protection Plan, includingpublic consultation sessions, please visitwww.sourcewater.ca.

While on the go, remember to bringyour reusable water bottle to fill with

refreshing and healthy tap water.

Why drink tap water?• A healthy beverage choice

• Affordable – less than a penny per glass

• Convenient – close at hand, easy to access

• Environmentally friendly option

Look for this symbol atparticipating businessesand public buildings.The Blue W tells youthis location will refillyour reusable bottleswith tap water for free.To find a Blue W

location, visit www.BlueW.org.

When heading out to one of the manyoutdoor events this summer, look for thewater wagon. Refill your reusable bottlewith free tap water or enjoy a refreshing

drink from one of its water fountains. For alist of participating events, visitwww.waterontap.ca.

The Region makes drinking tap water an even

more convenient choicethrough these programs.

Water Conservation By-lawaround the corner

Tap Water – ours to drink!

Region recognizedby Ontario Parks

Association

The Region of Waterloo received the“Protecting Tomorrow Today®” award

from the Ontario Parks Association for itswork to reduce salt used for de-icing ofparking lots, roads and walkways. Salt canhave long term effects on our environment,vegetation, and our waterways. To learnmore, visit www.smartaboutsalt.com.

Protecting Tomorrow Today Award

Presented to

The Region of Waterloo

Paul RonanOPA Executive Director

Bill HardingOPA Board President

in recognition of your signifi cant contribution to

the betterment of parks and the environment

through your leadership in protecting sustainable

underground water systems and water courses in the region.

January 9th, 2012

Region strives to keep water clean

Summer is just around the corner, whichmeans it’s time to refresh yourself on

the rules of the Water Conservation By-law. Each residence has one day per weekto water lawns which is determined by thelast digit of your home address (see chartopposite).Everyone may water gardens, wash cars andperform other outdoor water activitiesevery other day. Odd-numbered addresses(e.g. 51 King St.) may water gardens andwash cars on odd dates (eg. June 7) whileeven-numbered addresses (e.g. 52 King St.)may do so on even-numbered dates (e.g.June 8). And all watering must be donebetween 5:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m.and 11 p.m.

For more information, please visitwwwregionofwaterloo.ca/water or call519-575-4495.

0,1 Monday

2,3 Tuesday

4,5 Wednesday

6,7 Thursday

8,9 Friday