Best Practices & Restoration Projects
Water Conservation Framework
Participant Profile
Municipal Entity: City of Kingston
Resolution Passed: Yes
Overview of water conservation plan:
- Water by-law passed in 2006 that included restrictions on lawn watering.
- Utilities Kingston has implemented a “conservation block rate” in its water rate structure. The conservation rate block applies to residential water users that exceed 25 cubic metres per month. All residential consumption over 25 cubic metres per month is billed at a rate 25% higher than the rate up to and including 25 cubic metres per month.
- Over the last 10 years or so an active program to install water meters in all properties has been undertaken to the point that most properties are now considered to be metered.
- Since 2001 various capital improvements to the water plants combined with changes to the operation of the system, have optimized water system performance and have in turn contributed to a reduction consumption levels.
- A 2005 water loss management program, undertaken by Utilities Kingston, is intended to identify water leaks, repair them and in turn reduce the amount of potable water being lost and reduce overall consumption. This is an ongoing program but so far a significant number of large leaks were identified and are or are in the process of being repaired. Data indicates that a significant reduction in flows have occurred since the repair work started.
- Rain barrel program launched in 2007. The program helps divert water from the sanitary system and reduces water consumption.
- Water conservation kits such as low flow faucets and rain gauges have been compiled for distribution as a means to promote awareness of water conservation.
Link to City's water conservation website
Water conservation achievements to date:
- Despite significant growth in the City over the last 6 years, consumption levels dropped from 29,474,380 in 2000 to 29,409,920 in 2006.
Contact person:
Paul MacLatchy
Director of Strategy, Environment and Communications
613-546-4291
Return to list of Water Conservation Framework Participating Cities
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
Gary Becker, Mayor of Racine, Chair
Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, Founding United States Chair
David Miller, Mayor of Toronto, Founding Canadian Chair
www.glslcities.org
© 2006 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative