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Water Conservation

Image of water droplet with green arrows forming a triangle around itWater Conservation

Water conservation is a reduction in the use, loss, or waste of water or an increase in the efficiency of water use. The filtering, processing, purification, and delivery of water is expensive. It is therefore imperative that everyone do their part to ensure that our water is used wisely.

Please view the City of Orillia's 2014 Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan. 

Why Conserve Water?
  • Environmental Benefits: Using water wisely reduces the amount of energy and chemicals that would otherwise be required to treat and distribute the water. Excessive water usage can overload sewage systems and cause untreated sewage to flow into rivers and lakes.
  • Sustainability: Water systems that conserve water demonstrate leadership in water resource management and are working toward a goal of sustainability. Water conservation will extend existing water supplies and storage capacity.
  • Cost savings: Customers who conserve may have lower water bills. Water conservation may delay expensive water treatment plant expansions and other system upgrades. Lower water production at the water treatment plant will save money by reducing operating costs. 
Outdoor Watering Restrictions 

The City of Orillia is committed to responsible municipal water management. Sometimes outdoor water use increases more than twice normal consumption over the summer months. It is important to establish good water use practices as well as a mechanism to control them, therefore the City of Orillia has updated its Outdoor Water Restriction By-Law to include time allotments as well as extending it to be year-round.

No person shall use municipal water from a hose, pipe, sprinkler or permanent water irrigation system for the purpose of any outside water use including, but not limited to: watering lawns & gardens, washing sidewalks, driveways & vehicles or filling swimming pools, except as follows:

Even municipal house numbers may water outdoors on even calendar days between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Odd municipal house numbers may water outdoors on odd calendar days between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Remember: 25 mm of water a week before 9:00 a.m. ensures a healthy deep rooted lawn.

For more information please see Municipal Code Chapter 1019.   
Water Efficiency

The City of Orillia has developed a 2014 Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan to defer expansion of the water system, which includes the Water Filtration Plant (WFP) and the wastewater system including the Wastewater Treatment Centre (WWTC). Both systems are built to accommodate maximum demand (peak flows). The WFP maximum demand occurs in the summer months during extended dry periods when people need to water their lawns. Although the WWTC peak flows occur during long, heavy rainstorms, water efficiency allows lower construction costs for new development.

The 2014 Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan reviewed and compiled both existing and potential programs for continuation and/or implementation. The potential benefits include:

  • Increased public and corporate awareness of the value of water
  • Improved environment protection from reduced water use
  • Deferral of costly plant expansions due to reduced peak demand
  • Potential reduction to water bills

The reduction in demand and peak demand is achieved through a variety of methods:

  • Annual rate increases to incorporate the user pay principle and full cost recovery into the water and sewer rate structure
  • Universal water metering
  • Replacement and upgrading of existing water meters
  • Elementary school education program
  • General public information, primarily with respect to lawn watering and outdoor water use
  • Monitoring and tracking of water supply and loss
  • Repair of water system breaks and leaks as a high priority
  • Reduction in open-loop cooling water in City buildings and Commercial/Industrial buildings
  • Water fixture rebates for replacement of high water using fixtures (discontinued in July 2007)
  • Review of current policies
  • Promoting and subsidizing the use of rain barrels
  • Performing industrial, commercial, and institutional water audits
  • Continued auditing of authorized unmetered use
  • Retrofitting of City facilities

The implementation and continuation of the program has reduced water consumption and helped generate and assess information specific to the needs of residents, businesses, and institutions of Orillia. 
Rain Barrel Program 
A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from roofs that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams, rivers and lakes. Diverting water from your downspout into rain barrels has the following positive impacts:

image of rain barrel- Saves money by lowering your water bill

- Provides a free source of water for lawn and garden watering, which makes up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer

- Provides water for outdoor cleaning tasks such as car washing

- Helps reduce flooding of streets and storm drains during storm events

Rain barrels (200 litres) are available at the City's Waste Diversion Site located at 100 Kitchener Street. Residents of Orillia can purchase rain barrels for a subsidized price of only $50.00 each including HST. Please bring a copy of your water bill or photo ID with your address on it. Residents outside of Orillia can purchase rain barrels for $75.00 each including HST.  Do not leave your rain barrel out during the winter months. It should be emptied and stored away during the winter. If you have nowhere to store it, empty it and turn it upside down to prevent water from getting in and freezing. 
Take Action to Reduce Phosphorous Use! 

The Issue:

  • High levels of phosphorous found in household products are harming Lake Simcoe
  • The Government of Canada has developed an Action Plan for Clean Water
  • The Ontario government has introduced the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, designed to protect the health of the Lake

Why is phosphorous a problem?

Phosphorous feeds algae and weed growth resulting in:

  • Loss of fish and other animal populations
  • Green & cloudy lakes which discourage swimming, boating and fishing
  • Greater expense for drinking water filtration

Residents play an important role:

Some of the phosphorous pollution in the lake comes from our homes. Sources include: cleaning products, detergents and fertilizers.

You can reduce your phosphorous use at home by:

  • Using cleaning products that are "phosphorous free" or "phosphate free"
  • Do not use home garbage grinders
  • Eliminate your use of lawn fertilizers
  • Do not wash your car in the driveway, choose an area where the wash water will be able to filter into the soil, instead of running down the driveway into a storm sewer
  • Remember: Biodegradable does NOT mean phosphate free!
  • Dishwasher detergents are a significant household source of phosphorous

Examples of Phosphate Free Products 

 
Outdoor Lawn Watering Tips 

Before you turn on your sprinkler or hose, remember this: most people over water their lawn, which can lead to lawn disease and more weeds. In fact, most people double their water use, not to mention their water bill. You can have a healthy lawn that saves you time, money and effort, all while taking pressure off our highly used water system and watershed; find out how in our seasonal tips categories - Spring, Summer and Fall.  

Spring Maintenance Tips 

Lawn watering

No watering required. During the spring, watering is on Mother Nature's tab and she usually provides more than enough rainfall to meet your lawn and garden needs. Best of all... rain is free!

Fertilize on time

Fertilize late April, early May. Fertilize your lawn before the first mowing of the season. Fertilizing on time keeps your lawn vibrant, your soil healthy, and promotes low maintenance during the months ahead. It's always best to fertilize after aerating your lawn. The City of Orillia recommends applying a layer of compost material to your lawn, which can be purchased at the City of Orillia Waste Diversion Site.

Aerate to free the flow

Use a lawn aerator to help your lawn breath. Use an aerator to remove plugs of soil from your lawn, allowing water, oxygen flow and fertilizer to reach your grass' root zone. Aeration is an excellent way for clay-based and compacted soil to retain nutrients and moisture. For smaller lawns use a pitchfork, aerator shoes or a foot-press aerator. If you have a large lawn, you can rent or purchase an aerator at most garden centres or equipment rental locations.

Seed to grow

Repair your lawn by overseeding. Apply grass seed to areas that need some attention. The right type of grass seed can help thicken the lawn, make it resilient and crowd out weeds. Weeds grow and spread quickly in a thin lawn. Use a blend of grasses, especially perennial rye grasses and fescues ... these need less care, less water and can resist bugs. However ... always check with a gardening expert about what works best for you. After all, soil type, the amount of sun, and where you plan to plant seeds, must all be taken into consideration. Young grass can survive the winter and turn into a thick and healthy lawn in the spring that will only need 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water a week, including rainfall. Early spring and fall is the best time of year to repair your lawn.

Mulch for moisture

Apply mulch to your lawn and garden. Leaves, grass clippings and wood chips are just some of the mulches available to help your lawn retain moisture, provide valuable nutrients and reduce weeds; mulch also reduces water loss. Another important fact: as mulch decomposes, it adds humus to the soil, helping it retain moisture. Talk to your local garden centre about what type of mulch works best for your plants. Rule of thumb: mulching is best done in the late spring - before hot weather arrives and your perennials and annuals are small enough to work around. Topping off your mulch is best done in the fall. Always check the depth of your mulch. Place 1" to 2" layer of fine mulch or 2" to 4" layer if it's a coarse mulch ... and spread it evenly. Don't pack it down and give it a good soak by using a watering can or soaker hose. 
 Summer Maintenance Tips 

Water Wisely

  • Water Early! Watering in the morning means less water is lost to evaporation.
  • Water 2.5 cm a week, including rainfall. Experts say you only need 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water, a week, including rainfall to maintain a vibrant healthy lawn.
  • Water less frequently! Water less frequently and you'll reduce the risk of lawn disease... over watering is over rated because it can lead to shallow roots, ideal growing conditions for more weeds and lawn disease. Also remember to water slowly and deeply. Frequent light sprinkling leads to shallow roots.
  • Use a rain gauge. A rain gauge is the perfect tool to help measure lawn watering.
  • Water according to soil type and weather - For the Orillia area, most experts recommend a good watering, once a week. And it's important not to apply water faster than the soil can soak it up. Stop when water starts to run off your lawn. Note that clay soils retain water quite well, but that sandy soils may need to be watered twice a week (.05 inch each time).
  • Choose the right sprinkler for your lawn. When choosing a sprinkler, focus on two things: the flow rate and the size of your lawn. If your have a small lawn use a stationary sprinkler - it penetrates deep into the soil. For large lawns, impulse sprinklers provide the best coverage while oscillating sprinklers tend to shoot water, often missing patches of grass and loosing water to wind.
  • Let your grass sleep it off. Is your lawn a little yellowish or brown during the summer? Don't worry - this is called "dormancy" and it's how your lawn protects itself against the heat. When the weather turns how and dry, let your lawn sleep. This means no watering, no mowing and no foot traffic. And don't worry - your lawn will awaken soon enough!
  • Stop paying for water your lawn never receives. When you water your lawn in the evening, grass blades get most of the water. At the same time, the grass remains wet overnight, which can lead to lawn disease. It's just as costly to water on hot, sunny or windy days, losing the water to evaporation. That's why it's best to water early in the day.
  • Hand water your garden plants. Apply water directly to the plant rootzone by hand watering or using a soaker hose.
  • Use a rain barrel.
  • Water new trees. Care for your new trees... it benefits us all.

Mow like a Pro

  • Mow high. Raise your lawn mower blades to a height of 7.5 cm (3 inches). Longer grass holds lawn soil's moisture.
  • Cut correctly. Mowing your lawn every week is a ritual... not a requirement. Mow your lawn only when needed during the summer. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade. Short blades of grass are stressful for your lawn and make it difficult for the soil to retain moisture.
  • Leave the grass clippings. Stop bagging or raking up your lawn clippings. Clippings provide valuable nutrients (nitrogen), help retain moisture and make it difficult for weeds to grow. Clippings break down quickly and disappear within a day or two.
  • Choose the right mower. A mulching mower is ideal for large lawns because the grass clippings are finely chopped and returned to the soil, which helps retain moisture. For smaller lawns, think of using a reel (or push) mower... it gives a good cut which keeps the soil moist and doesn't contribute to noise and air pollution.
  • Keep your blades sharp. Dull mower blades tear the grass, and this can lead to disease and heat stress. Sharpen your blades twice a season.
  • Mow before weeds go to seed.

Stop Summer Fertilizing

Fertilize only in the Spring and Fall. Avoid fertilizing your lawn during the summer months, or you'll get burned in more ways than one. Fertilizing during hot and humid days will burn your grass, stress your lawn's soil and hike up your water bill as you try to revive your lawn. All a healthy lawns needs during the summer is the use of proper mowing techniques and 2.5 cm (1 inch) a week of water, including rainfall. Instead of chemical fertilizers, try spreading a small layer of compost over your lawn in the spring or fall months. Compost can be purchased at the City of Orillia Waste Diversion Site!

Weed & Seed

  • Drop grass seed to discourage weeds. Use grass seeds after you get rid of your weeds. This makes it harder for weeds to grow back and keeps your lawn thick and healthy.
  • Use alternatives to pesticides. Use certain lower-risk pest control products or use natural methods. 
 Fall Maintenance Tips

Fertilize Naturally

Use a natural fertilizer. Natural fertilizers such as grass clippings and compost from the City of Orillia Waste Diversion Site are ideal for healthy lawn care. Fertilize when the top growth has stopped and the roots are still storing nutrients for next season. This encourages deep, healthy roots that will resist insect pests and help plants retain moisture during dry periods. Fall fertilizing also helps your grass and garden grown quickly in early spring. It's best to fertilize after aerating your lawn.

Seeding for Survival

Overseed your lawn every fall. The month of September is usually the best time of year to overseed. Apply grass seed to thicken the lawn and drown out weeds. Use a blend of grasses, especially perennial, ryegrasses and fescues, which need less care and can resist bugs. Young grass can survive the winter and turn into a thick lawn in the spring.   

Mulch for Moisture

Top up the mulch to your lawn and garden. Mulching in late spring is best, while fall is the time to top up, or add mulch if you didn't do it earlier. Before topping up, check the depth of the mulch already around trees and bushes. Remember, you only need 1" to 2" layer of fine mulch or a 2" to 4" layer if it's coarse mulch.

                                                      

 
Xeriscaping 

Directly translated from it's Greek origins, xeriscaping means "dry scene", but in practice means designing landspaces that match local conditions with xeric (or water wise) plants, trees and shrubs that will thrive.

By following these seven basic principals when xeriscaping your lawn and garden, you can create a lush, colourful and unique garden that requires less maintenance and water - leaving you to sit back and enjoy your summer!

1. Prepare with a plan

A good plan focuses on aesthetics and function. Start off by drawing your property (include property lines, decks and fixtures, etc.,) with current plants, shrubs and trees shown.

Think about design elements such as variety of plants, colour plant height and texture and what you'd like to see. Begin researching trees, shrubs and flowers that are compatible with your conditions and design elements.

2. Size According to Need

Size really does matter. Like all landscaping projects, xeriscaping means assessing your budget, property size and lifestyle needs. When determining the size of your project, look at planting water-wise ground cover, shrubs or perennials that match your design elements but help reduce watering needs while keeping watering costs down and your recreation time up.

3. Improve your lot ... literally

To keep the soil rich and fertile, use mulch or other organic materials. Before you plant, add a 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) layer of mulch on the soil around flowers and shrubs. Mulch provides nutrients, reduces weeds and reduces moisture evaporation so that you don't need to water your plants more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) a week - including rainfall.

4. Know your sun, soil and shade

Once you know the size of your project and the design elements you want, get to know the ins and outs of your land a little better.

Ask yourself! Is my soil dry or sandy? What are the drainage patterns? Does the area slope or is it flat? What is the exposure to heat and wind, sun and shade?

The answers will guide you in picking out the plants that will work best in your xeriscaped garden. Visit your local garden centre to learn more about the variety of low water use plants that are available. Make sure you bring along your plan and a photo of the area you plan to xeriscape!

5. Choose your water-wise plants wisely

Carefully select water-wise plants that reflect the reality of the property you plan to xeriscape. For instance, in shady areas, use shade-tolerant species or consider a woodland shade garden. In sunny spots, plant drought-tolerant trees, shrubs or flowers ... or put in a wildflower meadow. For a water-saving lawn, consider species that aren't water hungry. Keep in mind most lawns only need 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water a week ... including rainfall.

6. Group similar water-wise plants together

In the mulch beds you created earlier, plant shrubs, trees and flowers that have similar watering needs. This makes watering more efficient and cost effective. Same rule applies to trees: together is better. Plant trees and shrubs in areas separate from irrigated lawns. And if you have narrow spots on your property - such as a footpath - consider placing natural stones, wood chips or even volcanic chip rock instead of a plant species. None of these options require watering, are pretty to look at, and require little or no maintenance.

7. Water wisely

Water xeric plants regularly - when you first plant them. Once the plants take root, gradually decrease watering frequency. Also remember to water early in the day. Just as important, avoid frequent, shallow watering because this can lead to shallow roots and disease. The general rule for watering is 2.5 cm (1 inch) a week, including rainfall. And don't worry if there's a little brown on your lawn... one rainfall and it'll all bounce back.

Water-wise plants for xeriscaped gardens 

*For a complete list of plants suitable for central Ontario, visit your local garden centre.

Shrubs

. Beauty Bush . Butterfly Bush . Cotoneaster . Five-leafed Aralia . Flowering Quince . Mugo Pine (dwarf) . Rose-of-Sharon . Sand Cherry . Turkish Hazel

Trees

. Honey Locust . Junipers . Russian Olive . White Oak

Ground Covers

. Creeping Lily . Violets . Snow-in-Summer . Lamjum . Rock Crest . Wall Crest . Creeping Phlox . Candytuft

Perennials

. Aster . Day Lily . Hosta . Lavender . Purple Coneflower . Yarrow . Grout Weed . Hollyhocks

This information was provided by the City of Toronto, Water Efficiency Program. 

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