NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF GUELPH
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The City of Guelph is kicking off Canada Water Week early with a series of events throughout March Break.
From activities at the Guelph Public Library and an interactive art installation at the West End Community Centre, to edible entertainment at the Civic Museum and a day of games, workshops and music at the H2O Go Festival, the week promises to be fun and full of discovery as Guelph joins the nation in celebrating water coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Canada Water Week is a week-long celebration of water held annually in the third week in March to coincide with World Water Day, this year taking place on March 22.
The 2016 Canada Water Week theme is freshwater, for which Guelph has much to be grateful for.
“In Guelph, our drinking water comes from deep underground—it’s a high quality water supply and it requires little treatment to meet Ontario’s strict drinking water standards,” remarked Emily Stahl, Supervisor of Water Efficiency for the City. “But groundwater supplies also take time to replenish and require responsible use. This is why we so strongly promote and support water conservation in Guelph.”
The City’s conservation programs are aimed at helping residents and businesses use less water and use water more wisely.
Since 2006, water conservation efforts by Guelph residents and businesses, as well as the City itself, have resulted in over $40 million in savings from deferred infrastructure projects and related operating costs that would otherwise have been needed to supply the Guelph community with drinking water.
“If residents and businesses weren’t using water wisely, our rate increases would be much higher than they are today,” noted Stahl. “The City’s investment of about $10 million for water conservation and efficiency programs has helped us reclaim over eight million litres of water per day despite a 12 per cent growth in population. That’s more than three Olympic-sized swimming pools full of water—every single day.”
Join us for all the fun March 14 to 19:
Wacky Water Week at the Guelph Public Library, 1–3 p.m.
Play hands-on games and learn simple ways to save water at home
March 14 at the Main Branch
March 15 at the Bullfrog Branch
March 16 at the Westminster Square Branch
March 17 at the West End Branch
March 18 at the East Side Branch
Aqua Lauta, West End Community Centre, March 14-19
One part bike, one part water filter—do you have the power to pedal this interactive art exhibit?
Guelph Civic Museum, March 18, 1–2 p.m.
Learn about Guelph water with an edible ice cream aquifer, and see a demonstration on home composting with worms.
H2O Go Festival & eMERGE Ecomarket, Old Quebec Street Mall, March 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fun for all ages with games, workshops, face-painting, crafts, our local craft brewers, music and the eMERGE Ecomarket—showcasing green ideas, products, programs and technologies.
For more information about these events, visit guelph.ca/events.
Guelph water facts
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Guelph’s current average day water use of 167 litres per person is much lower than 2011 provincial and national averages of 207 litres and 251 litres, respectively. Guelph’s 2011 average day water use was 177 litres per person.
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In 2015, the City pumped enough water to fill almost 6,900 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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Guelph’s average daily water use in 2015 was equal to almost 19 full Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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