Your Water From Source to Tap
We’re fortunate to have drinkable water available at the tap in our homes, but have you ever thought about the process each drop of water flows through before it reaches our taps?
Water treatment is a complicated and costly process. By collectively reducing the amount of water we use as a community, we can save money by reducing treatment costs, reserving treatment plant capacity, extending life of underground infrastructure, and limiting opportunities for untreated or partially treated wastewater to be discharged back to the St. Lawrence River.
In 2021, the City of Cornwall commissioned the development of a Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan with the primary goal of establishing a community water conservation program, as well as identifying necessary actions for sustainable management of our community water and wastewater resources.
Additional objectives of the Master Plan were to increase community awareness, to gain public support for water demand management, to develop volume-based metered water and wastewater rates to provide a sustainable revenue source, and to develop draft rebate and incentive programs. At a special meeting on September 21, 2021, Council approved the Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan. Within this plan is commendation to implement a universal smart water metering system.
In August 2022, City Council awarded a contract to Diameter Services Inc. to design, procure, and manage the implementation of universal water metering across the community. On June 26, 2023, Council accepted a Findings and Recommendations Report and Financial Report which detailed the design and estimated costs of the project.
Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan
Findings and Recommendations Report
Saving Water at Home
Reducing the amount of water we use as a community provides social, economical, and environmental benefits. Reduced treatment costs, energy savings, extended life of the treatment plants and underground infrastructure, and fewer opportunities for untreated or partially treated wastewater to be released back to the environment are just a few of the benefits of efficient water use.
Conserving water at home is easy! Below are some quick tips to reduce your own consumption:
- Regularly check for leaks in your home and make repairs when necessary.
- Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.
- Only run dishwashers or laundry machines for full loads.
- Take shorter showers–the average shower length is 8 minutes.
- Install low flush or dual flush toilets.
Did you know that flushing the toilet accounts for approximately 24% of daily residential water-use? While modern toilets use an average of 6 litres of water per flush, older models use up to 25 litres per flush!
The average person flushes the toilet 5 times per day—this means up to 125 L of water could be used by one person in a single day just to flush the toilet.
In 2022, the City of Cornwall launched a Toilet Rebate Program to incentivize residents to replace their high volume flush toilets with efficient, WaterSense© certified models.
The amount of water used by the community each day increases during the summer months as more water is used for landscaping and lawn/property maintenance. Here are a few tips to use water more efficiently while still maintaining curb appeal:
- Water your lawn in the early morning or late afternoon to limit evaporation.
- Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
- Use a broom to keep your driveway clean rather than a hose.
- Use a barrel to collect rainwater for gardening and other outdoor use.
- Apply mulch to your garden to help retain soil moisture.
Your Water Service
Currently, all residences businesses connected to the municipal water supply pay a flat rate for water. This flat rate is calculated based on the number of water-using fixtures (faucets, toilets, showers, etc.) on the property. The City is currently in the process of installing water meters in all homes and businesses in the city. Starting in 2027, your water bill will be calculated based on the water you consume rather than the existing flat rate. This is the same billing model used by other local utilities (electricity and natural gas).More information about the Water Meter Installation Program can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Where does Cornwall’s water come from? |
| There are two ways to supply your home with water: through a well, or through the municipal water system. If you live within Cornwall city limits, you’re likely on the municipal supply. Water is drawn from the St. Lawrence River, then treated to remove any bacteria, debris, or other contaminants so that it is safe to drink. Following treatment, it passes through a network of underground pipes which deliver quality drinking water to your home. |
|
Who uses the Municipal water supply? |
| The Municipal water supply services both residential and non-residential customers. Non-residential customers include industrial, commercial, institutional, and wholesale users. |
|
How are costs of the water system currently recovered? |
| Since the Municipal water system was implemented, users have paid a “flat rate” for water and wastewater service. Bills are calculated based on the number of water-using fixtures on the property. This includes sinks, toilets, showers, pools, outdoor faucets and more. Under this model, users pay a fixed amount on their water and sewer bill regardless of how much water is used. Under a flat rate model, there is no financial incentive for residents or businesses to be mindful about how much water they use, or to perform necessary repairs to use less water. In turn, the added costs associated with treating excess water is distributed among all users of the system. |
|
What is the Water Meter Installation Program? |
|
In 2021, the city commissioned the development of a Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan. One of the recommendations in the Master Plan is to implement universal water metering at all water service connections in the city. In August 2022, City Council awarded a contract to Diameter Services Inc. to design, procure, and manage the implementation of universal water metering across the community. On June 26, 2023, Council accepted a Findings and Recommendations Report and Financial Report which detailed the design and estimated costs of the project. More information on this program can be found at cornwall.ca/watermeters. |
| How much water do I use? Could I be using less? |
|
The first step to reducing your water use is to be aware of where you use water and how much you’re using. A household water audit is an assessment of where and how much water is being used in your home. Gaining this knowledge will help you identify simple ways to save water in your home. Your water meter will be a useful tool to help you better understand and manage your water consumption. In addition, the City will soon offer a Customer Portal that will allow users to see how much water they are using each hour of the day. |
| Will the City offer any rebates and incentives? |
|
In 2021, Council committed $100,000 towards community toilet rebates and home water use audit programs to help residents lower their consumption prior to transitioning to volume-based billing. More details can be found below. |
Water Conservation Rebates and Incentives
| Toilet Rebate Program |
|
To promote residential water conservation and efficiency, the City of Cornwall has developed a rebate program for residents who replace high-flow toilets (13L per flush or more), with WaterSense® certified low-flow toilets. To learn more about the program, click here. |
| Residential Water-use Audits |
|
To help residents identify where they use water and highlight opportunities to reduce their water-use, the City has contracted the St. Lawrence River Institute to offer FREE residential water-use audits. To sign up to the program online, click here. To print the sign-up form and submit by mail, click here |
| Subsidized Rain Barrels |
| In April 2023, City staff coordinated a local Rain Barrel Sale for residents through rainbarrel.ca. The use of rain barrels enables residents to collect rainwater for non-potable use on their property, reducing demand on the treated water supply. The supplied rain barrels are constructed from used food canisters, saving them from the landfill and supporting a circular economy. |
While we’re on the topic…
Make sure water is the only thing going down your drain. Never put garbage down your sink-such as cooking fat and grease, paints, solvents, household cleaners, pesticides, and other chemicals that are very harmful to the environment and your home plumbing.
Contact Us