Join in tackling water conservation and start with leaks in your own home.
We are fortunate to have access to clean drinking water in Winnipeg simply by turning on the tap. It’s easy to forget that our daily water use has an environmental and economic cost. And sometimes, bad habits and broken or inefficient appliances or fixtures can lead to water waste.
Through the support of the City of Winnipeg’s Water and Waste Department, FortWhyte Alive is asking you to tackle water conservation in your own home with a chance to win some great prizes. The Family Leak Detector Challenge is a fun and easy activity that you complete at home. Involve your whole household in detecting and fixing water leaks.
After the challenge, you’ll be entered to win a FortWhyte Alive membership, or one of five shower timers.
Spring Challenge: February 15 – April 15
Here’s how you can participate:
1. Check for leaks in toilets, taps and showers.
2. Fix water leaks to save water and money.
3. Share your results with us for your chance to win!
Check for leaks at least every 3 months, or when you get your water bill in the mail.
Use your Water Meter to find clues. If the meter is running when you are not using water, you have a leak!
Toilets can be silent and difficult to detect. To see if you have a leak, add a drop of dye to your tank, don’t flush, and watch the bowl. If the water in the bowl changes colour, you have a silent leak.
Leaks add up fast. A faucet dripping once a minute will waste 2.5 litres per week. A toilet leak can waste over 135 litres per day, equivalent to a 20 minute shower.
Grab a wrench and fix your leak with a twist, or call in some outside help.
Start by watching this video on how to Replace a Leaky Toilet Flapper.
Maybe it’s time for an upgrade! WaterSense and Energy Star are good choices for appliances and fixtures.
Be sure to check for current rebates with Efficiency Manitoba.
WaterSense has great resources to help you at home. Check out these videos for guidance:
Small actions add up to big results!
Try a shower timer and keep your shower length to five minutes. Available at The Nature Shop.
Drink tap water! Keep a jug in the fridge so that you have cold water ready to drink without running the tap.
Plug the drain when washing vegetables, doing dishes or hand washing laundry.
Buy a rain barrel for your garden and ditch the hose. Available in The Nature Shop.
Make every drop count by the David Suzuki Foundation
Water Saving Tips by the City of Winnipeg
Everything you need to know about using a rain barrel by FortWhyte Alive
7 Ways to Save Water by FortWhyte Alive
Join the Classroom Leak Detector Challenge and win prizes for your whole class.