Water Conservation

Did you know that using less water at home can directly lower your water bill and help our community save on costly treatment? Explore our water-saving rebates, discover simple tips for your home and learn more about the City of Cornwall’s Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan.

Toilet rebate

To help you save water and money, we offer a $50 Toilet rebate when you replace an old, high-flow toilet (using 13L or more per flush) with a new, water-efficient WaterSense® model. You can get a rebate for up to two toilets per household.

Criteria

To be eligible for the toilet rebate, you must meet the following conditions:

• Your home was built before 1997
• Your property is inside Cornwall city limits and uses the municipal water supply.
• You are replacing a toilet that uses 13 litres or more per flush with a new, certified WaterSense® model
• The new toilet must have been purchased after June 1, 2022

Look for the rebate eligible sticker or the WaterSense® label to ensure a new toilet qualifies

Claiming your rebate

If you satisfy all of the criteria, here’s how to claim your rebate: 

• Purchase a WaterSense® certified toilet and keep your receipt
• Take a picture of your old toilet before you remove it, and a picture of your new toilet after it's installed
• Apply for the rebate online and upload your receipt and photos

You can also print the form and mail it with your documents to:

• ATTN: Water Conservation Program
• Environmental Services Department
• 1225 Ontario St, Cornwall ON K6H 4E1

Your rebate will be mailed to you within about four weeks. Please note that your rebate will be withheld if your property taxes or water and sewer fees are overdue.

Rain barrels

Water your garden for free! Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater, lower your water bill and reduce your environmental impact. Visit rainbarrel.ca to learn more and get yours. These barrels are made from recycled materials, helping you garden sustainably.

Saving water at home

Saving water is simple and can also lower your bill. Here are easy habits to start today:

Inside your home:

• Fix leaking taps and toilets promptly
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Only run your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads
• Take shorter showers
• Consider installing a water-efficient toilet

Outside your home:

• Water your lawn in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation
• Aim sprinklers at your lawn, not the driveway or street
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks
• Collect rainwater in a barrel for gardening
• Use mulch in garden beds to help the soil retain moisture

Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan

We developed a Water Conservation and Servicing Master Plan to create a community-wide water conservation program and to ensure the sustainable management of our water and wastewater systems. The plan aims to increase public awareness, gain support for managing water demand and introduce metered water rates to ensure stable funding. It also includes developing rebate and incentive programs. A major recommendation within the plan is to implement a universal smart water metering system for the entire community.

For more information, you can view the Findings and Recommendations Report and Financial Report that detail the design and estimated costs of the project.