Water Efficient Fixtures Bylaw

The City amended the Municipal Utility Services Bylaw C-497-03 to require the installation of water efficient fixtures in all:

• new construction; and
• renovations requiring a plumbing permit.

Water efficiency standards

To promote consistency in the region, water efficiency standards are aligned with the standards in the City of Edmonton Water Efficient Fixture Bylaw  (came into effect January 1, 2008).

Under this bylaw amendment, no person shall install, cause or permit to be installed:

• a toilet having a water usage of greater than 6.0 litres per flush;
• a urinal having a water usage of greater than 3.8 litres per flush;
• a showerhead having a rate of water usage greater than 9.5 litres per minute;
• a faucet, other than in a public restroom, having a rate of water flow greater than 8.3 litres per minute;
• a faucet in a public restroom having a rate of water flow greater than 1.9 litres per minute;

The installation of Once Through Cooling Systems, defined as “cooling, air conditioning or refrigeration systems which rely upon the temperature of the water for cooling and do not recycle the water, but does not include emergency or backup cooling systems”, also is prohibited under the proposed bylaw amendment.

Implementation

The City recognizes that enforcement of this bylaw will be a challenge. Despite this, the proposed bylaw amendment makes a strong statement about the City’s commitment to water conservation and provides a valuable opportunity for water conservation and education.