Water Savings for Multi-Residential Properties

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Get started with a free consultation

Let our Water Programs team help you find savings tailored to your building during a free consultation. We'll discuss water-saving opportunities and flag rebates and incentives you could be eligible for.

Complete the form below or call 519-575-4400.

Book your consultation today!

a multi-unit building with various water using areas highlighted

Multi-unit water use audits

For buildings with seven or more units.

A water use audit provides property managers with a better understanding of where and how water is being used in their building(s). This highlights opportunities for water savings, helps identify leaks and can reduce operating costs.

Qualifying upgrades made within six months of receiving your audit report may be eligible for funding and/or rebates.

Only a few spots left for 2026! Once full, you can still join the waiting list by filling out the application form. 

Apply for your multi-unit water use audit today!

 How to apply and what to expect
  • Complete the application form or call 519-575-4400.
  • The Region's consultant will contact you directly to schedule your on-site building audit
  • During your audit the consultant will:
    • install a smart water flow sensor onto your building’s water meter
    • track water use over a period of seven days or more
    • inspect a percentage of units (based on building size) for water leaks and inefficiencies
    • arrange a time to retrieve the water flow sensor once readings are complete
  • After your audit, you will receive a detailed report including:
    • a breakdown of how water is used in your building
    • practical, water-saving actions
    • opportunities to apply for regional funding and/or rebates

Note: Qualifying upgrades made within six months of receiving your report may be eligible for funding and/or rebates. The consultant will schedule a follow-up audit to confirm changes. 

Building-wide funding for toilet, showerhead and tap aerator upgrades

For medium to large-sized apartment buildings interested in long-term savings

Replacing all toilets, showerheads and tap aerators with water-saving models is a simple way to reduce water use. We have funding available to support you with building-wide upgrades.

Note: Funding for this program is based on proven water savings. Billing data must be collected from the year before and after improvements to calculate water savings. It may take up to two years for you to receive funding.

How upgrading to water-efficient fixtures can pay off

Capreit (property management), replaced all toilets, tap aerators and showerheads in a building with 140, two-bathroom, units. They saved 5,171 cubic metres of water and $18,616 in the first year (2015 rates) and benefit from ongoing water savings. This project paid for itself in under four years.

Apply for building-wide funding

How to apply and what to expect
  1. Complete the application form or call 519-575-4400.
  2. Replace all toilets, showerheads and tap aerators in the building.
  3. After installation email us to calculate funding. We use water billing data from the year before and after the project to calculate savings.
  4. When a project is complete, email us invoices, receipts, installation reports and completion dates.
  5. Once approved, we'll be in touch to set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to allow for a direct deposit of funding. 
How we calculate funding
  • Funding is based on a project's invoiced costs, water savings achieved and the time for the project to pay for itself
  • Funding available is $0.40 per litre of water saved per day or less if the upgrades pay for themselves in under two years
  • Property managers often receive a rebate of 5 to 13 per cent of the project cost. Water savings often providing long-term financial benefits.

Toilet flapper and fixture replacement rebate

A worn toilet flapper can silently leak up to 330 litres of water a day! These costly leaks often go unnoticed and may not be reported by tenants. Flappers typically wear out in three to five years. It pays off to replace them as a part of regular maintenance. It's a simple and cost-effective way to reduce water use and operating costs. 

We provide property managers with a quick, $15 rebate for every toilet flapper replaced in a building. This often covers the cost of replacement. For added savings, free water-efficient showerheads and tap aerators are also available.

Apply for a toilet flapper and fixture replacement rebate

 How to apply and what to expect
  1. Complete the application form or call 519-575-4400.
  2. Purchase and install the toilet flappers.
  3. We will mail you any requested showerheads and aerators.
  4. After installation is complete, email us your toilet flapper receipts. We may request photos of the installed toilet flappers.
  5. Once approved, we'll be in touch to set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to allow for a direct deposit of your rebate. 

Cost-sharing for sub-metering projects

Installing sub-meters allows property managers to measure water use in individual units. This helps with water conservation, finding leaks faster and lowering operating costs. With sub-metering you can bill tenants for their actual water use, rather than a shared, estimated cost.

Property managers can apply for 50 per cent funding (up to a maximum of $10,000) for sub-metering projects.

Apply for funding for sub-metering projects


 How to apply and what to expect
  1. Purchase and install the sub-meters and complete the application form or call 519-575-4400.
  2. After installation is complete, email us your sub-meter installation receipts. 
  3. Once approved, we'll be in touch to set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to allow for a direct deposit of funding. 

Water-saving tips for property managers

Indoors

  • Work with tenants to reduce water use.
  • Replace older toilets and check toilet flappers for leaks.
  • Install high-efficiency showerheads and aerators.
  • Check regularly for leaks.
  • Look for the WaterSense and Energy Star logo to help choose efficient fixtures.

Outdoors

  • Use water outdoors on the right day and time according to the Water Conservation By-law. The by-law is in effect from May 31 to September 30 each year.
  • If rain is not enough, water early in the morning. Midday wind and hot sun will evaporate the water meant for your grass/plants.
  • Set watering time on automatic irrigation systems within the by-law hours of 5:30-10 a.m. and/or 7-11 p.m. on the assigned day for your address. Check regularly for leaks.
  • Choose plants that don’t need much water and are suited to our local climate.
  • Add a layer of mulch to your gardens to help keep moisture in the soil.

Questions about multi-residential water savings? Email us at watercycle@regionofwaterloo.ca

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