Outside Water Use and Restrictions in Guelph

Current Level

Outside Water Restrictions

Guelph’s Outside Water Use Bylaw outlines two levels of restrictions:

The threshold for Level 2 is:

• Less than 60 per cent of historical average precipitation over one and/or three months, or two weeks without rain.
• The streamflow in the Eramosa River is less than the minimum streamflow stipulated in the City’s Permit to Take Water.
• The average peak week water production is equal to or greater than 75 per cent of the available water supply system capacity.

Report an Outside Water Use Violation

Report a concern about Guelph’s Outside Water Use Bylaw:

• Use the Report a problem map
• Use the online form, or
• Call 519-837-2529

We will respond within two business days.

Lowering Demand Spikes

Our water system can only handle a limited amount of water at one time. When too much is used all at once, it puts an extra burden on the pipes and creates strain on the system.

That’s why the Outside Water Use Program is in place from April to October, when outdoor water use is at its highest. By working together as a community and spreading out high-water activities—like lawn watering—we can balance residential and industrial demands and help protect the infrastructure we all rely on.

Using less water also helps make sure we’re ready for climate change events like extreme hot weather and drought. We also want there to be enough water for our community now, and as it grows. There are easy ways you can help lower your water use all year round:

• Use a commercial car wash – they help keep soap and chemicals out of our rivers and generally use less water than washing a car at home.
• Use a smart controller, a rain sensor or soil moisture sensor with automated irrigation/sprinkler systems to avoid overwatering and runoff.
• Participate in the City’s many programs to help residents and businesses reduce their water use: guelph.ca/rebates.

When you use less water, we use less energy to deliver water to our community. Using less water also means we can delay finding and bringing on new water sources which have costs related to building new wells, treatment facilities and underground pipes.

Please Don’t Waste Water

Please consider your water use carefully and make sure not to waste water with activities like

• watering plants while it’s raining,
• overwatering lawns or gardens so the water pools or runs onto hard surfaces,
• using a hose without a shut-off nozzle,
• running a fountain or pond with fresh instead of recirculated water, or
• using a hose to wash your driveway.

About Guelph’s Water

Guelph takes water conservation seriously. As the largest community in Canada that relies almost entirely on groundwater, our water supply takes much longer to replenish and is more vulnerable to overuse.

That’s why your efforts matter. Thanks to you, Guelph has become a national leader in water conservation, and the Outside Water Use Program is a successful, widely recognized example of what we can achieve together.

Resources

• Grand River Conservation Association Watershed
• Outside Water Use Bylaw

For More Information

Guelph Outside Water Use Program
519-822-1260 extension 2153
[email protected]