In recognition of World Water Day, Environment Minister Terry Lake is urging British Columbians to conserve and protect one of our most precious natural assets.

"World Water Day reminds us how valuable our water resources are and there's no question our water is facing increasing demands," Lake said. "What government does is only part of the solution, so I challenge all British Columbians to think about how they can protect, preserve and conserve our water."

In B.C., we use about 490 litres of water per person per day - not including industrial or agricultural use. On an individual basis, Lake says British Columbians can reduce their water use, energy bills, and help protect the environment by making water-smart choices and adopting water-efficient technologies.

The following water conservation tips will result in substantial savings over time. Following these tips is easy, cost-effective and will help individuals to make their homes water smart:

• Install a low-flow showerhead. This will save the average family up to 20,000 litres of water a year, as well as money on water-heating bills.
• Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, wash or shave.
• Water gardens in the early morning or evening as evaporation is less likely during these times.
• Run your dishwasher when it's full, and scrape dirty dishes instead of pre-rinsing them.
• Fix drips and leaks promptly. Even a small leak can add up to thousands of litres of wasted water per month.
• Consider xeriscaping and xerogardening so you can garden in a way that uses less water.
• Choose water-efficient appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, irrigation systems, taps and toilets.

Government is doing its part. This winter, the Ministry of Environment invited public review and comment on a "Policy Proposal on British Columbia's new Water Sustainability Act". The proposed act will update and build upon the existing Water Act, respond to current and future pressures on water, and position B.C. as a leader in water stewardship. The public posted more than 500 comments on the Living Water Smart blog and sent in more than 800 emails and letters. In addition, over 21,000 people visited the blog and website.

"I'm impressed by the amount of feedback we received from British Columbians during the latest round of engagement on modernizing the Water Act," Lake said. "It shows the passion British Columbians have for our freshwater resources."

Ministry staff are reviewing the public input and will use it to further develop a policy direction. People can continue to check the Living Water Smart blog for updates on the Water Act Modernization process.

In 2008, the B.C. government released Living Water Smart: British Columbia's Water Plan. The plan highlights the need for new water conservation measures to ensure adequate supplies of fresh water for British Columbia's future.

Learn more: 

• Take the Living Water Smart Home Water Assessment: http://livingwatersmart.ca/get_involved/home-assessment.html
• For details and more water smart tips, please visit: www.livingwatersmart.ca

Contact:

Colin Grewar
Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9630