Volume 1 | Nov. 5, 2020

Waterloo Region's newsletter about waste, water and the environment

Welcome to the new Environews! It’s nice to have you here! We’re glad you’ve signed up for the new Environews. Environews has been around since 1989 as a paper newsletter, and this new digital version will help us share the Region of Waterloo’s environmental stories with people who care about their community – people like you! Environews will share the Region of Waterloo’s success stories and challenges, plus lots of helpful tips and tricks you can use at home. Is there something you want to see in these editions? Please send comments or questions to the Environews team.

Is your rain barrel ready for winter? This fall, don’t forget to show your rain barrel some love. Temperatures are getting cooler, and you don’t want water to freeze inside your barrel and crack it. It's easy, just follow these steps: Drain the barrel and hoses Store screen, hoses and other accessories inside, if possible Place the barrel upside down to avoid water freezing and cracking the barrel

Doing this will keep your barrel in good condition so you can collect spring rain again. Read more about the Region's rain barrel program here.

Get to know groundwater You drink me, cook and wash with me and so much more. I am groundwater and I’m worth protecting. Read my I Am Groundwater blog post about 9 actions you can take as a water protector for ideas on how you can help.

Is your business winter-ready? Whether your business clears the snow or hires someone to do it, you are responsible for the safety of others. Because safety is number one, you reach for what has always worked – salt. But spreading too much or when not needed, can be costly. Salt can damage concrete, kill landscapes, destroy flooring and carpets. Most importantly, salt harms our community’s drinking water.  Following a complete winter maintenance plan can reduce the risk of slip and fall hazards and property damage from over salting. The Region has resources to help including this video on how to get started.

Soften hot water only and save Homeowners who decide to soften hot water only can get $50 through the Region’s Water Softener Plumbing Rebate program.  Softening hot only is an environmentally-friendly choice that also reduces water and salt costs by $84 per year for an average home. You can conserve drinking water and reduce salt pollution too. Interested? The first step is to request a free, no obligation test kit to check your home’s water hardness. Water education resources Are you an educator looking for information on Waterloo Region’s drinking water and wastewater systems? The Region of Waterloo’s water education program includes Learn At Home videos and teacher resources that help explain the journey water takes to your tap and where it goes after you flush the toilet.

Thank you for conserving water this summer

This summer was a busy one for the Region’s Water Conservation By-law. Was it the hot, dry stretches? Or because many folks had more time at home to tend their lawns and gardens?

The Region of Waterloo is grateful to everyone who did their part this summer by watering lawns and gardens on the right days, at the right times. “By following the summer watering rules, people are conserving billions of litres of tap water. This helps us keep water in reserve to fight fires, supply emergencies and do maintenance on the system,” said Steve Gombos, the Region’s manager of water efficiency. The Water Conservation Bylaw is in effect each year from May 31 to Sept. 30. Learn more about the by-law or find your watering day on our website.

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