Water Smart Peel

Water Smart Peel is a culmination of technical and outreach programs that share one main objective to inspire the children, residents and businesses of Peel to assist in the protection of our environment and to do their part in the reduction of water use and protection of our drinking water sources.To facilitate the overarching Water Smart Peel Program and respond to the ever-growing demands on the water supply and wastewater treatment system, the Region of Peel developed a Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) in 2003. The current population is expected to increase by 230,000 or 23% by the year 2015. Reducing excessive water use makes good fiscal and environmental sense, as well implementing the WEP will reduce the necessary cost of water and wastewater infrastructure expansion.The goal of the WEP is to clearly define measures needed to reduce water use. Consistent with the goal of the WEP, three objectives formed the development of the plan; they can be summarized as follows:To reduce capital costs for new water supply and wastewater facilities over the long term by implementing water efficiency measures to reduce average annual day demands (AADD), peak day demands, and wastewater flows.To achieve significant water and wastewater savings by the year 2015.8 to 10 % reduction in AADD8 to 10 % reduction in peak day demands5 to 7 % reductions in wastewater flowsTo sustain water use reductions over the long term and to adjust the WEP as required to ensure maximum water savings are achieved.Since the endorsement of a water efficiency strategy by Regional Council in 2002, a number of water efficiency measures and complimentary education and outreach programs have been developed and implemented. Many of these initiatives have contributed to quantifiable water savings to the Region. As individual programs are implemented, staff monitor and evaluate the water savings, in addition to the public participation of each initiative. To date, the following measures, identified in the WEP along with other complimentary public education and outreach initiatives have been implemented by the Region.Water Efficiency Plan MeasuresToilet Replacement ProgramRegion of Peel Water Efficiency Retrofit ProjectIndustrial, Commercial, Institutional Indoor Water Audit/Capacity Buy Back ProgramOutdoor Water Education ProgramRestaurant Pre-Rinse Spray Valve Replacement ProgramPublic Education and Outreach InitiativesLorne Park Drinking Water Treatment facility TourPeel Children's Water FestivalSchool PresentationsPeel Water Story