Back grounder
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SEEING GREEN WITH WATERSMART MANITOBA
Manitobans used an average of 219 litres of fresh water per day in 2004, compared to an
average of 329 for all of Canada. Manitoba’s usage was among the lowest in the country,
however in the United Kingdom, average use is 149 litres and in Germany it is just 129 litres.
WaterSmart Manitoba is a water-efficiency program that will help Manitobans become more
efficient at conserving the province’s precious water resource for future generations.
Why save water?
WaterSmart Manitoba is designed to make Manitobans aware of how they consume water and
educate them about ways to cut back consumption. The goal of the program is to save at least
80 million litres of water annually. By achieving this goal, Manitobans will do more than protect
water sources, they will also save money.
Water-saving tips:
Approximately 65 per cent of household water is used in the bathroom, about 30 per cent for
toilets and 35 per cent for showers and baths. To save water:
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Replace high water use toilets (13 to 26 litres per flush) with six-litre, low-flow toilets to
reduce water flushed by 54 to 77 per cent. Dual-flush toilets save even more, an average
of 26 per cent more than six-litre toilets. Dual-flush models feature two buttons or levels
located on the top or side of the tank, allowing for a flush option of three or four litres.
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An average household will save more than 25,000 litres in a year (based on
replacement of a 13-litre toilet with a dual-flush model).
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An average Winnipeg household will save $73 a year.
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An average household in Brandon will save $37 a year.
If you are unable to change to a more efficient toilet now, installing an early closure device
can reduce water per flush in toilets by up to 35 per cent. A toilet dam or even a waterfilled plastic bottle suspended in your tank can save a few litres each time you flush.
More ways to be WaterSmart are available at www.gov.mb.ca/seeinggreen/watersmart.html.
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-2Money-saving opportunities:
To help Manitobans reduce their water consumption, save money on water costs and protect
valuable water resources, the Province of Manitoba is offering a variety of money-saving
opportunities:
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Power Smart Loan – Water efficient toilets are now included.
Effective Jan. 1, the Province of Manitoba will partner with Manitoba Hydro to expand its
Power Smart Loan Program to include low-flow toilets (six litre or dual flush) as an eligible
product for a loan allowing Manitobans to include water efficiency as part of retrofits to their
homes. The minimum Power Smart loan amount is $500. Contact Manitoba Hydro to learn
more about Power Smart Loan Program requirements and to determine your eligibility.
Information is available at www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/savings_home.shtml .
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EcoENERGY Rebate – Savings can be doubled with Manitoba and federal incentives.
Households that replace an old toilet with an approved low-flush or dual-flush toilet rated at
six litres per flush or less may be eligible for a $50 per unit rebate from the federal
ecoENERGY program. The Province of Manitoba will rebate an additional $50 to
ecoENERGY households which purchase and replace old toilets with a dual-flush model
after Jan. 1.
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To quality for the federal ecoENERGY program, a detailed on-site assessment must be
conducted by a certified energy advisor prior to conducting any retrofits. Manitoba
Hydro and Amerispec are licensed by Natural Resources Canada to deliver the In-home
Energy Evaluation service in Manitoba.
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If you are eligible for the Province of Manitoba ecoENERGY Rebate, you will receive
$50 per dual-flush toilet on proof of purchase and fulfilment of program requirements.
For Manitoba Hydro ecoENERGY evaluations, Manitoba Hydro will credit your account
$50 per dual flush toilet. For Amerispec evaluation customers, evaluators will inform
customers how crediting will occur in December.
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More information on federal ecoENERGY program requirements and other eligible
energy saving projects is available at www.hydro.mb.ca and www.smperispc.ca.
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Note: The ecoENERGY rebate cannot be combined with the $50 instant rebate.
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Instant Rebate – $50 in-store rebate on dual-flush toilets.
To help Manitobans replace high water consumption toilets with dual-flush toilets, in early
2009, the province will be working in partnership with select retailers in Manitoba to provide
an instant rebate on eligible models. Dual-flush toilets have two buttons for flushing, giving
the user the option to use six litres or less per flush.
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Lower Income Energy and Water Efficiency Program.
The Province of Manitoba has been delivering a Lower Income Energy and Water
Efficiency Program to help reduce the utility costs of lower income households. This
program is currently being offered as a partnership between various government
departments, local community organizations and Manitoba Hydro.