Region expanding water saving programs for residents and businesses
Waterloo Region – More residents and businesses will have a chance to reduce their water bills in 2027 as the Region expands programs that help identify leaks and lower water use.
“We continue to build on what we have achieved through decades of conservation efforts from the community,” says Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Expanding proven programs to increase participation will ensure we can support more residents and businesses and make the most of our existing resources, continuing to achieve reductions in demand responsibly and effectively.”
Water saving programs have shown significant savings over the years. The funding to expand programs includes:
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$50,000 for the WET Home Water Review Program to meet demand from high-use households. Over the years, the average homeowner has reduced their water use by about 20 per cent.
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$100,000 for the WET Multi-Residential Property Program to expand audit capacity. Through this program, the average water savings for each project equates to the water use for about 24 homes.
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A $20,000 increase to cost-sharing per water project or up to $0.75 per litre in financial incentives for the WET Industrial/Commercial/Institutional Program. Total water savings achieved to date through these projects equates to the water use for up to 1,300 homes.
Staff will also review the water conservation bylaw and the potential to add exemptions should a watering ban ever be needed in the event of an emergency.
The recommendations came from a working group asked by Council to explore options for enhancing water conservation measures to help address the water capacity constraint. The working group, including regional and area municipal staff, will continue to collaborate on water conservation efforts through information sharing and research initiatives.
An analysis of 165 water conservation measures found that expanding these programs is the most effective way to continue conserving before considering more costly, intensive, and restrictive options.
Waterloo Region has one of the lowest water usage rates per capita in Canada, but conservation remains an important mitigation strategy as it helps maintain and protect our complex system.
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