Drinking water quality
Looking forward to summer sun and all the fun that goes with it? Don’t forget to stay cool! By using a refillable bottle, you can stay hydrated on the go. Toronto’s tap water is an affordable and easy way to stay cool all summer long. Look for the HTO to go Water Trailer at a public event near you – fill up your bottle with quality municipal tap water and learn more about Toronto Water services and programs.

toronto.ca/water/supply/index.htm

• Water in the early morning to reduce water lost to evaporation.
• Let water soak in – don’t apply water faster than your soil can soak it up. If water is running off your lawn, it’s time to stop.
• Lawns only need about 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) of water once a week – use a rain gauge to keep track.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn.
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways clean instead of using a running hose.
• Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system and use the rainwater to water your grass and gardens. This job can be made easier if you install a rain barrel.

toronto.ca/watereff/landscaping.htm

Car washing
The dirt on cars can contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, oil and grease. When you wash a car in your driveway or on the street, that dirty water runs into the storm sewers and straight into local waterways. To avoid having dirty water run into the storm sewer system, consider these options for washing your car:

• Use a commercial car wash facility (coin or automatic). These facilities are required to follow a set of practices determined by the City, including treating wastewater and discharging it into the sanitary sewer system where it will receive further treatment.
• Dispose of the wastewater into the sanitary sewer. By using a pail, washcloth and only a small amount of water and then wiping the car dry, the wastewater can be contained in the bucket and disposed of into the sanitary sewer through a laundry sink or toilet. Doing this means the wastewater will be treated at a wastewater treatment plant.
• Find a location where the wastewater won’t flow into the storm sewer. For example, washing and rinsing your car on gravel (or other porous surface) allows the wastewater to be absorbed. All of these options will help protect public health and aquatic environments from the harmful effects of dirty water entering the storm sewers.

toronto.ca/water