Day 23 - Drinking Water Management: It's Getting Better! Keep Up the Good Work!

Saint-Lazare's drinking water comes from a single source: groundwater. As a result, we're totally dependent on its moods: if it's full, all's well; if it's under-supplied, we must be disciplined in our use. And because we're so dependent on it, we must make sure we don't contaminate it, which is another challenge in itself. One thing's for sure, the City and its employees are working together to ensure healthy water consumption and protection, which of course includes inviting you to take part in the collective effort!

In 2023, these efforts have paid off handsomely. Whereas in 2021, residential consumption was estimated at 211 liters per person per day, in 2023 it was down to 193 liters per person per day. That's a drop of 8.5% in two years! Let's be proud! Of course, we still have some work ahead of us to reach the government target of 184 liters per person per day. We're 5% away from that target: let's keep going, everyone!

What are the ingredients for this small victory? Here, in brief, are some of the initiatives that have contributed to it:

• The Escouade verte (Green Squad) was another success this summer, again focusing on the responsible consumption of drinking water, in addition to pesticides, ecological landscaping and alternatives to lawn care.
• The new water guide, the Greener H20me Guide 2023, once again informed the public about good water consumption practices.
• Environment Day, held on May 12, raised public awareness by distributing ground cover plants to replace turf (violet, silver and lemon thyme) and providing information about water at kiosks.
• There was also an ecological landscaping contest highlighting native landscaping requiring less water.
• On the regulatory front, Bylaw no. 667 on the use of water distributed by the municipal water supply system introduced, for the first time, watering permits for September and October only (instead of May and October), to encourage the use of water during periods of lower demand, when new vegetation is more likely to take hold.
• The new Bylaw 1159 governing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which came into force on November 15, is also designed to better protect groundwater quality.
• Environmental grants were popular this year, notably for water-retaining barrels (17) and low-flow toilets (42).

In short, Ville de Saint-Lazare is committed to pursuing its efforts and finding the means and tools to enable you to make a full contribution, so that 2024 will also be a successful year in our fight for the responsible use of drinking water.