Water Conservation

The fresh water that sustains all life on this planet is continuously recycled. The hydrologic cycle cleans and recycles water but it has a limited capacity to continue to produce clean water.

Barrie is fortunate to have a large supply of high-quality water available in underground aquifers within the city. This water supply has a limited capacity to meet demands of a very rapidly growing population. The cost to supplement this supply would be huge and thus it is in everyone's interest to make the existing water supply serve as many people as possible.

The following information will help you save money while preserving Barrie's water supply for generations to come.

Water Conservation Programs

Disconnect to Protect!

Each year, thousands of litres of clean water enter the City of Barrie's Water Pollution Control Centre and it is costing Barrie residents money! A large amount of this water is from illegal sump pump and downspout connections. Ensure your sump pump and downspout water is directed to your lawn, garden or rain barrel. Ensuring that these connections are directed to the right place will help protect the environment. Help keep clean water out of the sanitary sewer and reduce the treatment costs.

To find out more about inflow and infiltration prevention download our Disconnect to Protect brochure or
How to Disconnect your Downspout guide.

Toilet Rebate Program

The City of Barrie offers a $50 rebate for the purchase of low-flow toilets (six litres per flush).  The rebate program began October 17, 2005.  The program will only be available to residents of Barrie who own homes built before 1996. Additionally, new toilets must replace existing toilets that are larger than six litres per flush.  Please read complete guidelines.

Read Summary Report of Toilet Testing Program.

Increasing Water Rate Block Structure

As another means of controlling summer demand the City of Barrie implemented a new water rate structure on January first 2002. This rate structure increases the cost of water as water consumption increases. This gives everyone a financial incentive to reduce water consumption.

Free Water Efficiency Handbook

The City of Barrie has a FREE water efficiency handbook. This is an excellent resource that will help everyone save money and water. The book can be obtained at City Hall, the Operations Centre, the Pollution Control Centre and Home Depot.