With water top of mind and the days getting warmer, the Region of Waterloo has decided to update its water saving policies.
Recommendations from a working group where council directed staff to act were presented at a special council meeting on Thursday, including expansions of programs that help identify leaks and reduce water use.
“We continue to build on what we have achieved through decades of conservation efforts from the community,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman in a press release. “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.”
In all, the region is investing $170,000 into programs that review and audit water usage in homes and industrial buildings.
That includes $100,000 for the WET Multi-Residential Property Program, a program that the region claims will save water use for about 24 homes for each project where it’s implemented.
Regional staff also recommend a review of the water conservation bylaw to see if gradual restrictions on outdoor water use are needed before a ban is introduced.
Staff are asking council to allocate $400,000 from next year’s budget to help with those efforts.
The summer restrictions on water use kick into effect on Sunday as May comes to a close and run all the way until September.
