City set to introduce 2014 Water Conservation Strategy

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 11, 2014 2:00 PM

Summary

On June 9, Nanaimo City Council adopted the 2014 Water Conservation Strategy that identifies water conservation measures for residents and businesses alike. The strategy is targeted to reduce per capita water consumption in Nanaimo by 10 per cent each decade.

Link to Strategic Plan: This supports the strategic priority of water and encourages water conservation.

Key Points

Customer related conservation measures include: expanding the toilet rebate program in 2015, promotion of water efficiency and education on irrigation, grey water use and water efficient landscaping.
Supply side conservation measures include: enhancing water billing information, implementing recommendations from the Water Audit and developing a water supply forecast model for the Nanaimo watershed
Customer and supply side conservation measures were selected on the priorities for water conservation in the City Strategic Plan of 2012-2015 and the outcomes of two community advisory group workshops
The City has also worked together with the Regional District of Nanaimo and Team WaterSmart to identify water conservation activities and educational programs that may be undertaken collaboratively.

Quotes

"The City has implemented measures over a period of seven years with the intention to conserve more water and the 15 per cent reduction in water consumption during this time is an achievement that all the residents and businesses should be proud. The current Strategy seeks to build on this success and keep Nanaimo's position as a leader in water conservation."

John Ruttan

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Daily per person water production (for residential, industrial, institutional and commercial use) has dropped from an average of 600 litres in 2003 to 484 litres in 2013.
The 2008 Water Conservation Strategy included a target of 15% reduction in water production per capita by 2035 (based on 2003 water production) and this target was met in 2010.
Nanaimo residents use an average of 251 litres of water per person per day, well below the British Columbia provincial average of 353 litres of water per person per day.
Since implementing the toilet rebate program in 2009 approximately 578 million litres of water has been saved, enough water to fill 231 Olympic sized swimming pools.

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Contact:

Bill Sims

Manager, Water Resources

Engineering & Public Works

250-756-5302

Bill.Sims@nanaimo.ca

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