Outdoor Water Use

Canadians outdoor water consumption can account for up to 50% of our water use during the summer months; this can equal up to 200,000 litres of water per household every year.

Here are some of the easiest ways to save money on outdoor water use and help protect our most precious resource.

Water Only When Required

Lawns only need 3 cm (or 1 inch) of water per week - any more is a waste! You can check this by using a rain gauge or an empty can to see if there has been sufficient rain during the past week. If there has not been enough rain, set an empty can out on your lawn (tuna cans work well because they are about 3 cm deep), make sure it is level, and start watering. When the can is full, you’re watering is finished for the week. You can also use a rain gauge to measure water.

Create a Rain Garden

Create a beautiful rain garden (a type of water garden or bio-retention pond) to trap and treat stormwater.

Alternatives to Lawns

Change that time-consuming, water-loving grass into a beautiful drought-resistant ground cover (see our information on clover).

The Right Fertilizer

Use organic or slow-release fertilizers to avoid rapid growth spurts that require large quantities of water.

Use a Broom

Use a broom instead of a garden hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants

Use native species in your gardens and as grass substitutes (find information on native species contained in the Water Efficient Landscaping .pdf file, and learn more about clover as an alternative to turfgrass ).

Plant a Tree

Plant trees on your property to create shade and reduce evaporation. Trees also reduce stormwater runoff by trapping rain (a process called interception). Learn more about this from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Mulches

Use mulches on your gardens to decrease evaporation and run-off.

Aerate Compact Lawns

Aerate your lawn to increase infiltration. The Naturally Hamilton website has information on organic lawn care and reducing and eliminating pesticide use.

Rain Barrels

Install a rain barrel.

Water Efficient Landscaping

Click here to download the Water Efficient Landscaping booklet (.pdf 337 KB); developed by the Ontario Clean Water Agency

Links to more Outdoor Tips & Topics:
Pesticides
Rainwater Harvesting
Xeriscaping

Attachment	Size
Consider Clover Spread Clover Seed on your yard this summer. Enjoy a low- to no-maintenance, chemical-free lawn where kids and pets can safely roll in the clover! Express your values on your own turf. Say “Yes to my front yard!” and help restore the Earth.	99.28 KB
Beautiful Lawns and Gardens through Water-Efficient Landscaping Most of us take great pride in the surroundings of our homes and we spend enormous amounts of time and money tending our home landscapes. We take care in the selection of plants and shrubs. But most of our time is taken up with babysitting our grass. The “turfscape” seems to soak up as much time and attention — and water — as we can apply. And sometimes we wonder not only how we can lighten our load but also use less of one of our most precious resources.	337.96 KB