CRD encourages the wise and efficient use of our regional drinking water through education, technology, policy measures and research.

The capital region enjoys some of the highest quality drinking water in the world at a reasonable cost - maintaining this critical resource requires each of us to be make water wise choices each and every day.

Strive for 5 Contest

Showers are the second highest in-home water user and the third highest in energy use! Strive for 5 minute showers - save energy and up to 10,000 litres of water a year!

Tell us how you strive for 5 minute showers for a chance to win a Bose Bluetooth speaker or high-efficiency showerhead. Learn more >>

Shower Smart Tips:

• Skip brushing teeth and shaving in the shower. Save these for when the water is not running.
• Focus on what needs to be washed.
• Contemplate life’s existence in a park instead of the shower.
• Miss a hair wash. Washing your hair less often is healthier for your hair and saves time!
• Switch to a high-efficiency showerhead for more water savings

Benefits of Water Conservation

• Lower water and energy bills by reducing your metered usage.
• Reduced environmental impact by deferring the need to supply water from new sources and by reducing the energy and materials required to treat and deliver water.
• Delay in building new water infrastructure that would be necessary to provide increased capacity if demand continues to rise.
• Release of reservoir water to enhance fish habitat in the Sooke River, Charters River and Goldstream River.
• Buffers against the unknown — With the effects of climate change, shorter, more intense rain events and longer, dry spells in the summer months are expected. Having as much water storage in the reservoir as possible provides the assurance that not only will there be a sufficient quantity of drinking water for the year, but provides the flexibility to deal with drought and forest fires.
• Enhanced drinking water quality by maintaining higher water levels in our primary drinking water supply, the Sooke Lake Reservoir.

Water-wise Home Habits

Strive for 5 minute showers.

Repair or replace aging and inefficient appliances and fixtures with more efficient models.

Take a peek for household leaks. Learn how to regularly look for leaks.

Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.

Resources

Determine your personal water use. Here in the capital region, residents use an average of 220 litres of water per person, per day. Use this water calculator to learn more.

Check out where water is used inside the home (PDF).

Learn more with water conservation fact sheets.