How can you help to conserve water?
Conserving water can sometimes seem like a daunting task, but often the changes we make are small in nature but big in impact. Here are some of the things to consider at home, in your yard, and in your workplace.
 Inside the Home |
- Check regularly for and repair any leaky faucets or toilets. One drop per second wastes about 10,000 litres of water per year.
- Buy water-efficient appliances and fixtures; look for the WaterSense symbol.
- Install ultra-low-flow shower heads, low-flow dual flush toilets, and low-flow faucet aerators.
- Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
- Only use the washing machine and dishwasher when they are fully loaded, using eco-wash or light water modes.
- Investing in a front-loading model when replacing your old washing machine.
- Use a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand — dishwashers are actually more water-efficient than hand washing.
- Use a water conservation calculator such as Home Water Works to estimate your water use, learn how you compare to the average usage, and get a plan to help you use less.
- Purchase recycled or second-hand goods and repurpose or recycle things when you are done with them. Water is heavily used in the production of material goods. Buying only what we really need reduces our water footprint
- Buy local food and groceries. The production and transportation of food is a water-intensive practice.
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 Outdoor Work |
- Plant native species in your yard and gardens to lower summer water use. Native groundcover, plants, and grasses are heat and drought resistant, require less water and care and are cheaper to maintain.
- Spread mulch around the base of trees and plants to reduce evaporation.
- Water plants in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation and follow the Lawn Watering By-law.
- Only water as much as needed to help reduce outdoor water usage.
- Keep grass height about 5 to 8 cm high to reduce evaporation and reduce the need for repeat watering.
- Use a pool cover to reduce water evaporation; special solar pool covers can even work to heat your pool.
- Use rain barrels to collect rainwater from the eavestrough downspout. Use the water collected to water your indoor plants, lawn, and garden.
- When watering your lawn with sprinklers, make sure sidewalks and driveways are not watered too.
- Dry sweep your driveway instead of using water to clear dust and debris.
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 At Your Workplace |
- Set a water conservation goal and share it with staff.
- Conduct a facility audit to quantify water use.
- Look for and repair leaky faucets and pipes.
- Develop a water conservation plan.
- Install water efficient fixtures and equipment.
- Dry sweep instead of using a hose to clean floors.
- Make sure all hoses have automatic shut-off nozzles.
- Educate employees about the importance of using less water.
- Post reminders to conserve water in places where it is used most.
- Design landscaping to be water efficient.
- Re-use water for landscaping.
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Watering your lawn
Lawn watering plays a significant role in water conservation efforts, environmental sustainability, and keeping your grass and yard healthy.
The Town of Orangeville’s Lawn Watering By-law (By-law 2024-040) regulates the use of water for lawns and gardens.
What you need to know:
 Lawn Watering |
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Like the previous By-law, the day you can water your lawn is based on the last digit of your municipal address.
Lawns may be watered between 5 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. on your designated day.
Property Schedule
Ending in:
- 0 or 1 – Mondays
- 2 or 3 – Tuesdays
- 4 or 5 – Wednesdays
- 6 or 7 – Thursdays
- 8 or 9 – Fridays
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 Watering Methods |
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Water Devices
These include devices that are connected to a direct water source from the Town’s drinking water systems, such as:
- Hoses connected to:
- Hose bibs
- Pipes
- Sprinklers
- Irrigation systems, including:
- Above ground
- In-ground
- Drip
Hand Watering Devices
This includes containers that are not connected to a watering device but still apply water, such as a watering can.
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 New Sod |
| Newly planted sod can be watered for a maximum of three hours within the first 24 hours after the sod has been laid. |
 Plants and Gardens |
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Many plants and gardens require watering more frequently. The bylaw allows exemptions for the watering of the following:
- Newly planted trees
- Vegetable gardens
- Public gardens/hanging baskets
- Nurseries
- Farms
- Turf and tree farms
- Playing fields
- Parks
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Understanding the new By-law |
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Q. Why was the change made to the By-law?
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| By-laws are often reviewed to make sure they line up with the Town’s current needs – the Lawn Watering By-law was due for a review. Staff assessed the existing By-law based on the current impact on the Town’s drinking water system. |
| Can I water my flower gardens daily? |
| Yes – a hand-watering device, such as a watering can, may be used to water outdoors at any time. On your designated day, you can use your hose to water outside, during the hours of 5 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. If you plan on watering your grass, we recommend positioning the sprinklers so that your gardens are watered as well, reducing the amount of water and time of use. |
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When filling my watering can, can I use the hose to do so?
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| Yes! The By-law aims to conserve water – not regulate gardening. Filling your watering can creates a smaller impact on our drinking water system than running the hose consistently while watering. Another option is to utilize a rain barrel to fill your watering can. |
| What do I do about vegetable gardens, new trees, or plants that require watering daily? |
| Exemptions have been built into the By-law for these situations. You may use your hose to water vegetable gardens, newly planted trees, public gardens and hanging baskets, nurseries, farms, turf and tree farms, playing fields, and parks outside of your designated day. |
| Does the Town of Orangeville sell rain barrels? |
| The Town is looking at implementing a Residential Rain Barrel Program as soon as possible. A feasibility study is also under way at Dufferin County. Currently, rain barrels can be purchased at retailers like Home Depot and Canadian Tire. |
| If my lawn turns brown, can I water more frequently? |
| Continue watering just once a week. A brown lawn isn’t dead, just dormant, and can survive several weeks in this state. |
| Shouldn’t I be watering my lawn more frequently to keep it healthy? |
| Best practices determined through research, and promoted by the Federal Government, Ontario Government, and many landscapers, indicate watering just once a week is key to a healthy lawn. Overwatering increases the chances for disease and growth problems. |
| How much water does my lawn actually need? |
| Lawns only require one inch of water per week, when no rainfall has occurred. This encourages deep, healthy roots. If it has rained throughout the week, your lawn will have received enough water to thrive. Leaving a small container (such as a tuna can) on your lawn while watering can help you identify when your lawn has enough water for the week. |
| How does this impact our drinking water system? |
| By reducing lawn watering to one day a week for all properties, it is estimated we will see a reduction of 8-12% in peak day demands. It is critical to reduce peak day usage to ensure the demand does not exceed the Town's ability to produce and treat water during sustained dry periods in warmer summer months. |
| Why is there so much concern over how much water we have? |
| The Town relies 100% on well water. Currently, several of our 12 wells are more than 45 years old and three of our wells provide approximately 55% of our water. The changes will help reduce maximum peak demands on our drinking water system, helping with sustainability. |
| If there is such a large need for water conservation, why is the Town still allowing developments to move forward? |
| The lawn watering by-law will help reduce maximum peak day demands, rather than average day flows. New development has little effect on Maximum Peak Day Demands and more on average day flows. |
If you have a question that has not been addressed, please email us at [email protected].
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By-law Enforcement
With the implementation of the new By-law, our focus will be on education ahead of any enforcement. Our Bylaw and Public Works staff will help residents understand the new Lawn Watering By-law (By-law 2024-040) and how it applies to any watering they may be doing.
Well 10 Shutdown
Update May 2024
Well 10, located in the Rolling Hills area, is still offline.
The Town has undergone a pilot study in order to determine the best current technology and filtration system for the water source and has identified a preferred option.
We are working on obtaining approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for upgrading the filtration system.
Background
On June 30, 2023, we received reports of water discolouration in the Rolling Hills area.
Investigations determined the filtration equipment for Well 10, which services this area, was no longer removing iron and manganese from the water as well as it should and Well 10 was removed from service.
Ongoing water testing indicated water in this area (and throughout the Town of Orangeville) is safe. Iron and manganese have no current maximum acceptable concentration limit (O.Reg. 169/03 Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards), only aesthetic objectives.
Well 10 is responsible for providing 11 per cent of the Town of Orangeville's water, which means conservation during the shutdown is even more important.
Toilet rebate program
The Town of Orangeville offers a toilet rebate if you replace an old toilet with a water efficient toilet. Learn more about the toilet rebate program and find out if you are eligible.
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