Best Practices & Restoration Projects
Water Conservation Framework
Participant Profile
Municipal Entity: City of St. Catharines
Resolution Passed: Yes
Overview of water conservation plan:
- Full Water Metering - The City installs water meters on all properties with a water service. This also includes a water meter replacement program where all water meters are replaced on a 15-year cycle.
- Education Program of Elementary Schools - The City offers free Water Conservation presentations to all City schools. The presentations are targeted at grades 4 to 6 and cover the water cycle, society's use of water and water conservation techniques.
- Rain Barrels - Residents are able to purchase 200 litre rain barrels at the subsidized price of $30. Social Marketing - This includes spots on local radio and television stations, information on the City's website, brochures, water bill inserts, notices in the local newspaper and displays at local shopping malls.
- Niagara Children's Water Festival - The City is a major partner in the Water Festival which educates approximately 5,000 children each year. The festival has five themes including water conservation, water science, water technology, water pollution and water attitudes.
- Watermain Replacement Program - The City attempts to replace 2 percent of its watermain network each year using a balanced approach that considers the break history, discolored water complaints, pressure and flow problems as well as coordination with other sewer and road projects.
Link to City's water conservation website
Water conservation achievements to date:
- On a City-wide basis annual water demand has been reduced by about 3 million cubic meters since 2000.
- Through an enhanced watermain replacement program the City has managed to reduce the number of main breaks by approximately 20% between 1999 and 2006.
- Since the rain barrel program was started in 2006, approximately 1000 rain barrels have been sold each year.
- Follow up studies of elementary school Water Conservation Presentations have indicated that these presentations lead to a household water reduction of almost 20%.
Contact person:
Mark Green, Environmental Services Coordinator
905-688-5601 x2193
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