Tips & Tools to Save Water

Making simple changes around your house can significantly lower your water usage.

Purchase Water Wise Tools

Rain Barrels

A rain barrel is used to collect and store rainwater to reuse on your garden, lawn, or hanging baskets. Rain barrels offer an efficient way to conserve water.

Cost

$60, tax included

Features

  • 208 Litres (55 gallon) capacity - 34 inches height by 24 inches width
  • Easily accommodates existing downspouts
  • Made of 50% recycled materials
  • Overflow capability, can be linked to another rain barrel
  • Square shape and neutral colour blends into any gardenscape 
  • Stainless steel screen keeps out bugs and leaf debris

Electronic Water Timers

Connect a timer to your hose-fed sprinkler and set it according to your allowed watering days and times to automatically turn your water on and off. 

Cost

$42 plus tax 

Features

  • On/off button to use like a faucet
  • Programmable to a 7-day watering calendar
  • Uses one 9-volt alkaline battery (not included)
  • Works with low pressure drip and soaker hoses

Proof of Coquitlam residency is required.

Where to Purchase

You can email or call 604-927-3546 to arrange payment and pickup. 

Tips for a Healthy Lawn

  • Aerate your lawn in the spring to allow grass roots access to air, water, and nutrients.
  • Consider replacing all or part of your lawn with a grass alternative that requires less water and maintenance. Visit growgreenguide.ca for ideas.
  • Gold is the new green! Let your lawn naturally go dormant in the summer by reducing sprinkling. It will turn green again in the fall.
  • Harvest rainwater using a rain barrel and use it to water your lawn and garden.
  • A healthy lawn only needs about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of water or about one hour of watering, including rain, per week.
  • Mow your lawn 3 inches high and leave grass clippings on your lawn to encourage deep roots and to minimize water loss.
  • Plant your new lawn in spring or fall to encourage growth while reducing watering needs.

Tips for a Water Wise Garden

  • Ask your local garden centre to recommend native and drought-tolerant plants that can survive in hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
  • Cover your garden bed with mulch to minimize water loss, suppress weeds, and insulate plants in the winter.
  • Group drought-resistant plants together and water-loving plants together in your garden.
  • Use drip irrigation in your garden to maximize watering efficiency.
  • Water by hand using a hose with automatic shut-off nozzle or a watering container instead of a sprinkler to direct water to your plants’ roots and reduce evaporation. If using a sprinkler, check regularly for broken sprinkler heads to avoid overwatering your garden.
  • Weed regularly to remove weeds that can compete with your plants for nutrients and water.