kingston, ontario
Protection of Freshwater and Coastline
Low-Flow Toilets to Conserve Lake Ontario's Water
Utilities Kingston, with the support of the Kingston City Council, has implemented a rebate program for owners of multi-residential and social housing units built before 1996 to install low-flow toilets. The majority of these building's toilets uses 20 -23 liters per flush. Rebates range from $60 or $125.http://utilitieskingston.com/Water/Conservation/ToiletRebate.aspx?wopenpane=2
~Water Conservation Efforts~
Over the past few years, Utilities Kingston has engaged in numerous water conservation initiatives. These initiatives contribute towards the City of Kingston's sustainability goals by minimizing impact of water consumption on local lakes and rivers, reducing the amount of energy needed to treat and pump water and sewage, helping customers save money, and limiting long term infrastructure needs.
Multi Residential and Social Housing Low-Flow Toilet Retrofit Rebate Program
· Funds allocated by Kingston City Council, with a budget of over $300,000 over the past 2 years
· Provides $125/toilet for social housing retrofits, $60/toilet for other multi-residential building retrofits.
· Replaces toilets older than 1996 or greater than 13L per flush with low flow toilets of the customer's choice.
· Targets residences where economic barriers preventing retrofits exist.
Utilities Kingston Rain Barrel Program
· Since 2007, Utilities Kingston has sold over 4000, 200L rain barrels to customers at a subsidized rate - ½ the price or better compared to retail prices, widespread uptake and awareness of the benefits of rain barrels.
· Rain barrels help:
o reduce the amount of treated lake water used for watering plants and lawns
o reduce overflows by diverting rainwater from the sewer system during storms.
o conserve energy by reducing water and waste water treatment and pumping.
o save money by lowering customers' water consumption
o reduce the volume of water that the City must build treatment infrastructure to handle.
o maintain system pressure during peak water use periods.
Water and Sewer Rate Harmonization & Graduated Residential Water Rates
· Utilities Kingston harmonized rates across all its water and sewer customers in 2010, simplifying the bill and increasing the effectiveness of conservation messages.
· Residential customers now pay a higher unit rate for water consumed over 25m3 per month, providing an incentive to conserve.
Watering Restrictions, Public Education & Demonstration Garden
· A City of Kingston by-law allows even and odd numbered homes to water lawns and gardens on only on even or odd numbered days, respectively, contributing to significant reduction of peak water demand.
· This maintains system pressure during peak times, and minimizes un-necessary use of treated water.
· Since 2006, thousands of free water conservation kits have been distributed at dozens of public events.
· A water conservation demonstration garden will be completed at Utilities Kingston's corporate offices in 2010. This will serve as an educational site to demonstrate sustainable and low-water use gardening and landscaping practices.