• Collect rainwater in a barrel, cistern or water-features to save for use in drier conditions.
• Rainwater is at a more ambient temperature for your plants and it's free!
• Collecting rainwater helps reduce the amount of toxic run-off that enters our storm drains and eventually our streams and ocean.

Check out these videos

• Building a Rain Barrel
• Ties with Nature - Shaw TV Nanaimo

Up to 65 percent of water used to irrigate our lawns and gardens is lost to inefficient watering practices which result in runoff, evaporation, or leaks. To help prevent this:

• Aerate your lawn & top-dress with compost to improve water penetration and retention.
• Water deep but infrequently to maintain a healthy root system.
• Inspect your system frequently to make sure there are no leaks.
• Let your lawn go 'dormant' or golden in the summertime. It will go green again with the Fall rains.
• Reduce your turf area if you can - consider planting native species to 're-wild' your landscape.

For more tips, see the Team WaterSmart Healthy Lawn Care Brochure.

• To reduce losses due to evaporation, water early in the morning.
• Consider installing water-efficient irrigation such as bubbler or drip systems that deliver water right at the base of the plant.
• Mulch around plants with straw, leaves, or live groundcover to conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature.
• Increase water retention of your soil by adding compost - this will improve soil structure and support healthy microbes.
• Prevent flowerpots & hanging baskets from drying out by adding a perforated plastic liner. 

Maintaining a vegetable garden through a drought can be a challenge. The principles of xeriscape can lend themselves very well to growing vegetables during periods of limited water supply. 

Here are a couple more tips:  

• Excessive watering leaches nutrients out of the soil, encourages diseases and reduces flavour; consider a drip irrigation system.
• When planting water-loving plants such as tomatoes, line the soil with a thick layer of newspaper to maximize water retention.
• Practice companion planting by placing plants with similar water requirements close together. 

• Wash your car using a bucket of water, a sponge and a hose fit with a shutoff nozzle.
• Use a broom instead of water to remove debris from paved surfaces.
• Cover swimming pools when they are not in use to reduce evaporation, consider a water-saving pool filter.

Checking your irrigation system can help you catch leaks, lowering excessive watering times and saving water. We often offer workshops to encourage people to inspect their own systems. 

Check out our upcoming workshops and if you'd like to check your own irrigation system, see our step-by-step guide to find out how! 

• Irrigation Industry of British Columbia - An excellent resource for irrigation system installation, maintenance and more.
• Find a certified technician, designer or contractor on the Irrigation Industry Association of BC’s website.
• Efficient Irrigation Roundtable Discussion Summary – A compilation of best practices from a round-table discussion on water efficiency.