Saving water in your home
In Calgary, the average person uses about seven cubic metres (m³) – or roughly 7,000 litres – of water every month. This includes water used outdoors for irrigation.
Inside your home, water use usually stays about the same throughout the year, unless you have guests or go on vacation. That means everyday indoor habits – and hidden leaks – are a big opportunity to save water, money and support Calgary’s long-term water supply.
This winter: Be water wise indoors
Calgary is a growing city on two small rivers.We may not think that water conservation is as important in winter, but high demand and limited supply make being water-wise a year-round necessity.
Winter is the perfect time to:
- Fix leady toilets and taps
- Run full dishwasher and laundry loads
- Take shorter showers
Small changes now help keep bills down and make a big difference – especially for our two small rivers.
Why saving water matters in Calgary
Delivering safe drinking water, treating wastewater and managing stormwater takes energy, infrastructure and careful planning. As Calgary’s population grows and drought conditions become more common, using water wisely helps:
| Keep your utility bill manageable. | |
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Keep our rivers and natural environment healthy. |
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Reduces strain on our water infrastructure. |
Every litre you save at home supports a more resilient water system for everyone.
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When outdoor watering season returns, visit YardSmart and related pages to learn how to choose plants, soil and irrigation options that use less water and suit Calgary’s climate.
Understand your water use
Our short Winter Water Wise video explains why using water wisely at home matters.
Check your monthly water utility bill
Your water utility bill shows how much water your household uses each month and how that changes over time. It’s one of the easiest ways to:
- See if your use is higher or lower than usual.
- Spot sudden increases that may point to a leak.
- Track the impact of your water-saving efforts.
Typical home water use in Calgary
In a typical Calgary home, the bathroom, laundry and hidden leaks use the most water. The chart below shows average water use for common household fixtures and appliances. Actual use will vary based on your habits and the efficiency of your fixtures.
Even a small leak can quietly waste about 67 litres of water every day – roughly as much as a full load of laundry in a high-efficiency washing machine – even when you’re not using water.
The average residential home fixtures use the following volumes of water:
- Low flow toilet (per flush) uses 4.8L.
- Non-low flow toilet (per flush) uses 6L.
- Dishwasher (per load) uses 28L.
- Low flow faucet (per 5 minutes) uses 28.5L.
- Low flow showerhead (per 5 minutes) uses 38L.
- Regular faucet (per 5 minutes) uses 41.5L.
- Regular showerhead (per 5 minutes) uses 47.5L.
- Watering lawn (1/2" hose size for 5 minutes) uses 52.5L.
- Front load washing machine (per cycle) uses 62L.
- Leaks (per day) amount to 67L.
- Watering lawn (5/8" hose size for 5 minutes) uses 85L.
- Typical bathtub (per use) uses 92L.
- Top load washing machine (per cycle) uses 112L.
Top ways to save water in your home
This 30-second video explains why Calgarians are being asked to save water.
Every time you take a shower, flush the toilet or wash vegetables, you have a chance to save water. Here are practical ways to cut indoor water use in the rooms that matter most.
Homeowner water guide
Discover a library of tips and tools for creating a water-efficient home.
Bathroom - biggest opportunity
Quick actions
Fix leaky taps and toilets
Check your toilets and faucets for leaks every six months. A silent leak can waste thousands of litres per year.
Take short showers
Aim for five-minutes or less. A short shower with a standard showerhead can easily use 100 litres of water.
Fill bathtub halfway or less
Filling the bathtub – especially for children – can save 40 litres or more every bath.
Turn off water when brushing, shaving or lathering
Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save up to 32 litres per person per day.
Bigger upgrades
Install low-flow fixtures
When it’s time to replace them, choose low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets. They use less water while still providing the performance you expect.
Did you know?
More water is used in the bathroom than in all your other rooms combined.
Kitchen - smart dishwashing and food prep
Quick actions
Wash full loads
Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. If you must run a smaller load, choose a shorter or eco cycle.
Scrape, don't rinse
Scrape food into your compost bin instead of rinsing dishes under running water before loading the dishwasher.
Fill a pot to wash vegetables
Wash vegetables and fruit in a partially filled sink or pot, then give them a quick rinse instead of using a constant stream of water.
Keep a jug of water in the fridge
Store a jug of drinking water in your refrigerator. This avoids running the tap and wasting water while you wait for it to get cold.
Bigger upgrades
Invest in high efficiency appliances
When you’re ready to replace your dishwasher, choose a model with a low water use setting. Newer models often save water and energy, which can lower your utility bills over time.
Use your meter
Check your water meter regularly to look for unexpected changes that could indicate a leak in kitchen plumbing or appliances.
Laundry and utility room - appliances and leaks
Quick actions
Wash full loads and skip the extra rinse
Wash only full loads of laundry. If your washing machine allows, set the water level to match the load size and skip extra rinse cycles.
Bigger upgrades and maintenance
Upgrade to a high efficiency washer
When replacing your washing machine, consider a front-load model. High-efficiency front-load washers use at least 50% less water than many older top-load models.
Service and repair appliances
Check the drainage of your water-using equipment, including:
- water softener
- furnace humidifier
- how water tank
Ask yourself
- Is water running out of the line while the humidifier isn’t running?
- Is water draining from the water softener when it isn’t recycling?
- Is the hot water tank leaking or constantly draining from the overflow line?
If you notice any of these issues, arrange for maintenance or repair.
Use your water meter to check for leaks
Use your water meter to check for leaks every six months and make any necessary repairs.
Find and fix leaks
Leaks are one of the biggest and most common sources of wasted water in Calgary homes. Many leaks are silent and easy to miss – but they can quietly waste about 67 litres of water every day, roughly as much as a full load of laundry in a high-efficiency washer.
Together we can make every drop count by using water wisely and checking for water leaks regularly.
Water wise: fix leaks in your home
Common household leaks
- Running toilets.
- Dripping faucets and showerheads.
- Leaking outdoor taps and hoses.
- Constant drainage from water softeners, humidifiers or hot water tanks.
How to check for leaks
- Check toilets and faucets for leaks at least every six months.
- Use your water meter to perform a simple overnight leak test.
- Inspect visible pipes, fixtures and appliances for drips, puddles or staining.
If you find a leak
- Follow the step-by-step repair tips on our water leaks and basic repairs page.
- Visit your local hardware store for repair kits and parts.
- If you can’t find or fix the leak yourself, contact a licensed plumber.