Let’s use drinking water wisely during heat waves!

Did you know that Québec is still one of the biggest consumers of drinking water in Canada and even the world?
Excessive use of this shared resource, especially during heat waves, puts significant pressure on water treatment and distribution systems, and can impact the amount of water available in the municipal network.

Thankfully, small everyday actions can make a big difference! Here are a few simple ways to reduce your water consumption:

• Water your vegetable gardens, flower beds, and landscaping by hand, ideally in the early morning or evening, to minimize evaporation.
• Reuse rainwater for watering—install a rain barrel or direct your gutters toward your plants. You can even create a rain garden to collect and naturally redirect water.
• Use a broom or brush instead of a hose to clean driveways or patios.
• Wash your vehicle with a bucket instead of running water.
• Cover your pool when not in use to reduce evaporation.
• Avoid filling your pool more than 15 cm from the rim to limit water loss from splashing.

Some activities are restricted, including:

• Watering with automatic systems

• Watering lawns and new landscaping

• Filling pools and spas

• Washing vehicles, driveways, and building exteriors

 Be sure to check your municipality’s regulations to know when and how these activities are permitted.Together, let’s protect our drinking water—every drop counts!