Mississauga residents urged not to pollute water system when caring for lawns
Published August 16, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Mississauga residents are being urged to be more efficient when using water to care for their lawns or wash their vehicles, or they could end up inadvertently polluting the city’s water system.
The advice comes from City of Mississauga officials, who posted a link on Twitter today (Aug. 16) to outdoor water efficiency tips offered by the Region of Peel.
“Did you know water that runs off your property can collect pollution on the ground as it flows onto the street and into the catch basins?” the City posted on Twitter. “It then enters local creeks/rivers and eventually Lake Ontario.”
This past spring, Mississauga officials issued a similar caution, noting other problems in addition to pollution can be caused.
“Improper drainage can potentially lead to flooding, pooling water and damage to your home,” officials warned at the time. “In addition, debris, soap and chemicals can flow into catch basins and eventually make their way into creeks and rivers. These pollutants all end up in Lake Ontario, which is our main source of drinking water.”
City officials point residents to a series of tips offered this week by the Region of Peel, which posted information on the subject to its own Twitter feed.
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“Up to 50 per cent of water used to maintain lawns can be lost to evaporation, runoff and overwatering,” Peel officials wrote on their post. “Consider changing your landscape or follow the tips (we provide) to save water, money and time this summer.”
The Region of Peel offers the following outdoor water efficiency tips:
- most lawns and gardens need less water than you think. Water less frequently and according to the weather for deep and strong root growth
- water your lawn and garden before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. This will lessen the amount of water that evaporates
- adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. The longer grass will shade the roots and help keep moisture in the soil
- maintain and fix your irrigation system to ensure it’s running efficiently
- sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway, sidewalk and patio
- use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering your garden
- check outside taps, hoses, faucets and sprinklers regularly for leaks
The Region adds that if you have a swimming pool, use a cover to reduce water loss.
“Uncovered pools can lose 30 to 50 per cent of their water to evaporation. If the pool seems like it’s losing more water than usual, or if you find wet areas around the pool or a tear in the liner, there may be a leak. Contact a pool service professional for help.”
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