Did you know that living green and contributing to a vibrant, livable and sustainable region can be as easy as being mindful in the bathroom?
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is encouraging residents to protect the region’s waterways by conserving water, reducing bathroom garbage, and practicing source control at the sink, shower, and toilet.
With this in mind, here are three ways you can contribute to living green, starting in the bathroom:
Think before you flush
Despite having a waste water treatment facility, it’s critical to be mindful of what goes down our drains.
Keeping non-flushable wastes, such as wipes, Q-tips, and feminine hygiene products, out of the bowl protects not only the environment but also the regional infrastructure. Even wipes that bill themselves as flushable do not belong in the toilet. After all, the toilet is not a trash can.
It’s also crucial to ensure medications and harsh chemicals do not go down the drain. Medications can be returned to pharmacies, and environmentally friendly cleaning products help to protect the beneficial bacteria in the septic system. Learn how to make your own environmentally friendly cleaners and check out the CRD’s other educational resources.
If in doubt, remember that the only items that should be flushed down the toilet are the “Three P’s” - pee, poo and toilet paper. This helps to protect ocean ways, sewers, and sanitation workers.
Strive for five
Water used in the bathroom directly impacts the water supply in the Sooke Reservoir, which needs to be sustained for as long as possible. The bathroom accounts for 65% of household water use, with showers using the second-highest amount of water out of any other home appliance.
Fortunately, there are many opportunities to save water in the bathroom. For instance, when brushing your teeth, turn off your tap. The same goes for shaving.
The CRD also encourages residents to participate in its “Strive for Five” challenge – limiting your shower to five minutes. An individual who shortens their shower to five minutes can save 10,000 litres of water a year.
If you aren't sure you can stick to that, try setting a timer to help you keep track of time.
Choose high-efficiency fixtures
Water leaks can account for 14% of indoor water use due to leaky toilets, faucets and showerheads. CRD recommends checking your toilet at least once a year for undetected leaks. Routine check-ins and simple and inexpensive repairs can prevent drinking water from being wasted.
Are you looking to upgrade your appliances and fixtures? CRD endorses using high-efficiency models. Not only can replacing outdated, inefficient water fixtures in your bathroom with high-efficiency models save water, energy, and money, but it will also prevent the unnecessary loss of potable water from the regional water supply.
For more tips on how to live green in your bathroom, and for educational resources, visit www.crd.bc.ca/education/live-green.
