2009 Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy

In February 2008 the Guelph Environmental Services Department initiated an update to the City’s original 1999 Guelph Water Conservation and Efficiency Study. This study, the 2009 Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy Update, is now complete and identifies the preferred program, policy and resource requirements to achieve and sustain the water use reduction targets of the City’s Water Supply Master Plan, Community Energy Plan and City Council’s Strategic Plan.

Water reduction targets

As per the Strategic Plan, the City of Guelph aims to use less water per capita than any comparable Canadian City.

The Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy Update outlines the program, policy and resource requirements to achieve a reduction in water use of 8,773 m3/day by 2019, which is consistent with meeting the time-based average day reduction goals identified in the Water Supply Master Plan. These goals are as follows:

  • 10% (5,300 m3/day) water use reduction by 2010;
  • 15% (7,950 m3/day) water use reduction by 2017, and;
  • 20% (10,600 m3/day) water use reduction by 2025.

Recommended programs

Single Family Detached Residential Indoor Measures

  • Residential and Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Toilet Rebate Program
  • Residential and Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Clothes Washer Rebate Program
  • Residential rebate programs for water efficient central humidifiers and floor drains
  • Grey Water Reuse System Rebate Program
  • Rain Water Harvesting System Rebate Program
  • Landscape Assessment Program
  • Rain barrel program
  • Comprehensive public and youth education programs
  • New home construction indoor and outdoor water efficiency incentives
  • Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Capacity Buyback Program
  • Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Pre-rinse Spray Valve Replacement Program
  • Water Distribution System Leak Detection Program
  • Implementation of water efficiency retrofits and public demonstration projects at existing City buildings

Key policy recommendations

  • Formalize Water Supply Master Plan percentage-based reduction goals as equivalent water reduction volumes
  • Water reduction philosophy of maintaining consumption below 2006 average day taking for five year period (ending 2014)
  • Establishment of an ongoing Water Conservation Public Advisory Committee
  • Water softener performance research
  • Automated water metering interface pilot study
  • Establish a rainwater harvesting based billing policy through the City’s Water and Wastewater Rate Structure Review
  • Extension of conservation programming outside municipal boundary to properties currently
  • metered by City

Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy update

Appendices

Related studies

For more information

Water Services
519-837-5627
[email protected]