Supplementing Your Home's Water Supply

Canadians enjoy some of the highest quality water in the world. But despite our abundant supply of fresh water, it remains, by its very nature, a valuable resource that should be conserved and protected - particularly in those areas of Canada facing water shortage. As a result, more Canadians are paying attention to the amount of water they use, and are cutting back by using water wisely and purchasing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

Another way to conserve water is by using auxiliary water sources - if permitted - to supplement and conserve the local pubic water supply. Auxiliary water includes everything from rainwater collected from your downspouts, to "greywater" that's collected from the laundry or shower, treated and reused for non-drinking purposes around your house.

If you are thinking about using auxiliary water sources from your home, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following tips on how to supplement your water supply while keeping your family safe and healthy, and not running afoul of local building regulations:

• If you're building or renovating a house, find out from your local building department what is allowed, what is not and what may be required to get municipal approved.
• Auxiliary water sources must use a separate plumbing system so it is not mixed with your potable water. Talk to your builder, architect, renovator or plumber as early in the process as possible about including auxiliary water-ready components in your home. This may include dedicated piping for auxiliary water as well as any related storage and treatment systems. Planning  for those components now could save you a great deal of time and money in renovations later, regardless of whether you include the auxiliary supply today or at some point in the future.
• Work with your contractor to determine how much water and what level of water quality is needed for different uses in your home. This will help ensure the system is designed properly and will be able to supply all the water your family needs, at whatever level of quality you require.
• Make sure you know where the water you're collecting comes from and identify its purpose. Not all of the water you collect from different fixtures can be used for the same purpose. For example, water that's collected from your shower may be safely treated and reused to flush your toilet, But only fully potable (drinkable) water should ever be used in the shower itself. Again, make sure you check with your municipality. 
• Depending on how you're using the auxiliary water, you may also need to think about storing the water before it's used. For instance, using rainwater collected from your downspouts to water your lawn is often used immediately, without any further treatment. But if you're collecting greywater for use in toilet flushing, you may need to treat and store the water so it's available on demand.
• Find out what programs or regulations are in effect in your area when it comes to auxiliary water. Some communities, like the City of Guelph, offer rebates for homeowners who use auxiliary water. Other cities may have rules in place that limit what kind of water you can reuse. Always check with your local municipality or water authority before you install an auxiliary water system in  your home.

To find out more about auxiliary water sources, or for information on any other aspect of owning, maintaining or buying a home, visit www.cmhc.com or call 1-800-668-2642

The 5 Essentials of Healthy Housing

Healthy Housing is a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) vision of housing that promotes the health of its occupants while considering the environment and preserving our natural resources. Healthy Housing is based on over a decade of research by CMHC and others. Healthy Housing is not about building new high-tech houses but, rather, it’s about making Healthy Housing features available and affordable to everyone.

Following are five key elements of a Healthy House with tips on how to make your home better for the environment and more comfortable for you:

1.     Occupant Health. Healthy Housing promotes superior quality of indoor air, water and             lighting:

·      Chose natural biodegradable products for cleaning (eg, baking soda, vinegar, borax)

·      Furniture made from low-emission, natural materials – wool rugs, sofas and chairs made of untreated cotton with hardwood frames – makes for a healthy indoor environment

2.     Energy Efficiency. Homes account for about 20% of all energy used in Canada. Of this, about 67% is used for space heating and cooling, 18% for lighting and appliances, and 15% for heating water. The Healthy House reduces energy use in all these areas, in all seasons:

·      Placed under the concrete slab, rigid board insulation helps raise the temperature of the floor slab and increases comfort. It reduces heat loss by up to 75%

·      Energy-efficient dishwashers, washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers can cut energy consumption by at least 15%. Some models can reduce energy use by nearly 50%

           

3.     Resource Efficiency. The Healthy House makes efficient use of all our resources. Efficient use is made of building materials, and recycling is encouraged. Durability of building components is essential. The Healthy House also conserves water and energy:

·      Water-efficient toilets (6 L or less) use up to 80% less water than a regular toilet

·      Shower Heads (9.6 L/minute) reduce water use by more than 60% with no loss of
performance

·      A simple and inexpensive aerator tap can reduce water use by more than 60%

4.     Environmental Responsibility. The principles that guide the construction and use of the Healthy House are the cornerstone of environmentally responsible housing. The Healthy House may use alternative water and wastewater systems, encourages site planning that reduces land requirements, minimizes waste generation and pollutant emissions, promotes resource-efficient landscaping and considers broader community planning issues such as transportation:

·      Recycle and compost to reduce the volume of household garbage sent to landfills

5.     Affordability. For the Healthy House to succeed in the marketplace, it must be good for the owner, builder and future generations. Many features of the Healthy House make it affordable to own, and its design makes it easily adaptable to its occupants’ changing needs.

To learn more about other sustainable technologies and practices that can improve the performance of your home as well as information on owning or buying a home, call Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.