Water Conservation Conversation

Water Conservation: Let's make it a COMMUNITY effort! (August 16)

As residents of Lacombe County—whether you're a farmer, living in one of our hamlets or rural subdivisions, or enjoying life by the lake—water is a vital resource that we all depend on. The changing climate and increasing demand for water make it more important than ever to use this precious resource wisely. By working together and adopting better water conservation  practices, we can ensure that our community thrives now and in the future.

EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ON WATER CONSERVATION

One of the most effective ways to promote water conservation is through education. By sharing knowledge and raising awareness, we can inspire others to take action.

• Social Media Campaigns: Share tips on reducing water usage—like fixing leaks and using water-efficient appliances— through platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Highlight your own conservation successes to inspire others.
• Collaborate with Local Schools and Organizations: Partner with schools, environmental groups, or local businesses to promote water conservation initiatives. Educational programs in schools can help instill good habits in the next generation, while collaborations with local organizations can amplify your message and reach a wider audience.

REVIEWING AND PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR’S WATER USAGE
As the year draws to a close, it's an excellent time to review your water usage and make plans for the year ahead. By analyzing this year’s water consumption and savings, you can identify areas for improvement and set goals for next year.

• Assess Your Current Water Usage: Start by looking at your water bills, irrigation logs, or any other records of water usage. Compare this data to previous years to see if your conservation efforts are making an impact. Identify patterns in your usage and areas where you could potentially reduce consumption.
• Evaluate the Success of Conservation Measures: Reflect on the water-saving measures you implemented this year. Did you install low-flow fixtures, reduce irrigation, or invest in more efficient appliances? How much water did you save, and what was the impact on your water bill? Use this information to determine which strategies were most effective and worth continuing.
• Set Goals for Next Year: Based on your assessment, set realistic water conservation goals, like reducing irrigation or installing rainwater collection systems.
• Plan for Drought and Water Shortages: Consider developing a drought management plan that outlines how you will reduce water usage during times of shortage. This plan could include actions like prioritizing essential water uses, adjusting irrigation schedules, or switching to drought-tolerant crops.

A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Water conservation is a collective responsibility that benefits all residents of Lacombe County. Whether you're a farmer ensuring your crops thrive, a homeowner maintaining your garden, or a lake resident enjoying our natural beauty, every drop counts. By educating others and planning our water usage carefully, we can protect this invaluable resource and secure a sustainable future for our community.

Together, we can make a difference—one drop at a time.

Strategies for Lacombe County Cattle Producers (July 19)

In Lacombe County, where agriculture forms the backbone of the community, water conservation is not just a practice but a necessity. Cattle producers have the power to lead in sustainable water use and help safeguard this precious resource for future generations.

1. Routine Maintenance to Fix Leaks
   Water systems, such as troughs and pipelines, are prone to leaks which can lead to significant water waste. Conducting regular inspections and repairing leaks promptly ensures that every drop is utilized effectively, boosting the efficiency of water use across your operation.
2. Invest in Automatic Shut-off Water Troughs
   Water troughs that feature automatic shutoff mechanisms prevent overflow, saving water and reducing the need for constant monitoring. This smart investment not only conserves water but also enhances the operational efficiency of daily farm activities.
3. Adopt Rotational Grazing
   Implementing rotational grazing helps maintain healthy pasture cover and optimizes soil moisture retention. This method allows grasslands to regenerate, which prevents soil erosion and conserves water by enabling the soil to hold moisture longer.
4. Effective Management of Ponds and Reservoirs
   Ponds and reservoirs can lose a significant amount of water to evaporation and seepage. Techniques such as lining ponds or covering reservoirs can drastically reduce water loss. Additionally, managing the surrounding vegetation can decrease evaporation rates, further conserving water.
5. Upgrade to High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems
   Modern irrigation systems, like drip or targeted sprinkler systems, can dramatically reduce water usage by directing water precisely where it is needed, thus minimizing evaporation and runoff. Transitioning to these systems can be a game-changer in terms of water conservation.
6. Monitor Water Usage with Smart Technologies
   Utilizing smart meters and water management software can help you track water usage in real-time. These technologies not only detect leaks but also help producers understand their water usage patterns, leading to more informed decisions about water management.
7. Implement Rainwater Harvesting
   Capturing and storing rainwater provides an alternative water source, which can be used in various farm operations. This practice reduces dependency on local water supplies and ensures that there is an additional reservoir of water available during dry spells.

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Water is a finite resource that demands our respect and careful management. For producers in Lacombe County, adopting these water conservation strategies is not just about compliance; it's about taking proactive steps towards sustainability and efficiency. By embracing these practices, ranchers can ensure that they are doing their part in preserving water resources while maintaining a productive and profitable operation. 

Tips for Businesses: Enhancing Water Efficiency (June 21)

There are many ways local businesses to adopt sustainable water practices. These strategies are small ways to improve water efficiency. Focused on practical changes, these steps can significantly reduce water consumption in the workplace (and will save your money, too).

Conduct a Water Audit
To initiate effective water conservation, businesses are encouraged to perform a comprehensive water audit. This process involves evaluating all aspects of water use within office settings, including restrooms, kitchens, and landscaping. Identifying the primary areas of water consumption enables businesses to implement targeted strategies that address these high-use areas efficiently.

Upgrade Restroom Facilities
The insights from the water audit can guide businesses in making impactful changes, such as upgrading to high-efficiency toilets and urinals. Modern restroom facilities are designed to minimize water usage without compromising functionality. By installing these high-efficiency fixtures, businesses can drastically cut down on the volume of water used, resulting in lower utility costs and a reduced environmental footprint.

Opt for Dry Floor Cleaning Methods
Transitioning to water-efficient cleaning techniques can further enhance conservation efforts. Before resorting to wet mopping, businesses are advised to use dry floor cleaning methods like vacuuming or sweeping. This approach helps reduce dependency on water and is particularly effective in maintaining clean floors with minimal environmental impact.

Install Faucet Aerators
Another simple yet effective strategy is the installation of faucet aerators in sinks across the workplace. These devices are easy to install and can halve the water flow from faucets while maintaining adequate pressure. Faucet aerators are an excellent way for businesses to achieve immediate reductions in water use.

Lacombe County encourages all local businesses to consider these strategies as part of their operational policies. Adopting such water-saving measures not only contributes to global environmental efforts but also promotes sustainability within the community. By implementing these steps, businesses in Lacombe County can demonstrate leadership in sustainability and help preserve our precious water resources for future generations.

Drought resistant plants and trees

One effective approach in urban landscaping is the planting of drought-resistant trees and plants, or engaging in xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a way of designing landscapes so they use as little water as possible. This not only reduces our dependence on water but also contributes positively to our environment by conserving this precious resource.

Here’s how Xeriscaping works:

Choosing the Right Plants: Instead of using plants that need a lot of water, xeriscaping focuses on plants that are naturally drought-resistant. These plants don't need much water to thrive. Think of cacti, succulents, and some grasses and shrubs that you see growing in dry areas—they all do really well with little water.

Planning the Space: In xeriscaping, the way you arrange the plants and the landscape features is important. The goal is to reduce water usage but also to keep the area looking good. You might see different areas in a xeriscape yard grouped by how much water they need—so plants that need a bit more water are together and can be watered at the same time.

Improving the Soil: The soil is improved to help hold onto water better. This might involve adding materials that can keep the soil moist for longer without needing frequent watering.

Mulching: This is about covering the ground around plants with materials like wood chips or gravel. Mulch helps keep the soil cool and moist, and it reduces water evaporation. So, the plants need less watering, which saves water.

Xeriscaping is really about working with nature to create beautiful gardens and yards without using a lot of water.

It's crucial for farmers to engage in sustainable farming practices consistently, not just during drought conditions. By implementing methods such as the use of cover crops, no-till cultivation, and maintaining organic soil matter, farmers can significantly improve water retention and reduce soil erosion.

Particularly, the practice of no-till farming and the strategic use of stubble can trap more snow during the winter months, leading to better water absorption.

Planting trees and avoiding excessive tree brushing are vital too, as they prevent wind erosion that can dry out the landscape. Shelterbelts, for instance, are instrumental in accumulating more snow over croplands, which directly benefits water conservation.

We encourage all residents and our dedicated farmers to consider these sustainable practices not only as a means to conserve water but also to foster a healthier, more resilient environment for generations to come.

Toilets are often the source of unnoticed leaks. Not only are they wasteful, they’re also expensive! A leaky toilet can waste upwards of 1,000 litres of water every day. This equates to almost $500 a year in water costs. Thankfully, as this video shows, discovering a leak is both quick and simple!

Lowering your cost-per-flush is another way to save and conserve. According to a report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), toilets older than 20 years typically flush with 13 to 20 litres of water. Installing a WaterSense® toilet ensures no more than 4.8 litres per flush. If a family of four each flushes the toilet twice daily they could reduce their water bill and usage by more than 70 per cent.

Handwashing dishes can use upwards of 100 litres of water per load. If you wash breakfast and dinner dishes every day, that adds up to around 73,000 litres of water every year. That number is easily reduceable.

• Fill one sink halfway for washing and the other halfway for rinsing.
• Only using one sink? Use a dish rack for washed dishes then rinse them together with one spray of water.
• Avoid continuously running the water for rinsing.

A dishwasher is a better option. Older model dishwashers use upwards of 22 litres of water per load. Assuming one full load per day, your dishwasher would use around 8,030 litres of water every year. That’s 89 per cent less water usage than hand washing. And that number shrinks even more with an efficient dishwasher. 

As of July 2023, an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher cannot use more than 12.11 litres of water per cycle. A daily load now results in only 4,420 litres of water per year. If the you move from hand washing to an efficient dishwasher, you reduce your annual water usage (and costs!) by 94 per cent!

Use mulch to keep water in the soil and prevent evaporation. Spread mulch around the base of trees, shrubs, perennials and even in your vegetable garden. A good layer of mulch can reduce the your watering needs by up to 55 per cent.

Mulch comes in many forms. Some organic options include wood chips, straw and leaves. Inorganic mulches include rock and gravel. Plan to use between three to six inches of mulch to maximize its effectiveness.