Water Efficiency
GOAL: Reducing consumption + minimizing waste.
Think about how the Forces of Change
(24k/1p) may have an impact.
Other factors to consider for us to achieve this goal:
Markham Buys its Water
Sourced from Lake Ontario, Metropolitan Toronto and York Region Water Supply System is the primary provider of Markham’s drinking water. According to the 2008 Annual Regulatory Water Quality Report, the drinking water distributed to Markham residents in 2008 was of high quality.
The Cost of Our Water Supply
The average family of four in Markham uses between 6,980 to 8,730 litres (1,535 to 1,920 gallons) of water each week. At the current combined water and sewer rate that works out to between $728.00 to $910.00 per year - not a bad incentive to keeping track of how much water your family uses in a week. (Source: Town of Markham Website – Water Efficiency)
Sanitary Sewage
All Markham sanitary sewage effluent is discharged via York Durham Trunk System to the Duffins Sewage Treatment Plant in Pickering. The processed and treated sewage effluent is then discharged to Lake Ontario.
Stormwater Management
Storm system performance is under the jurisdiction of the Town. The efficiency of the infrastructure affects its capacity to deal with such issues such as floods. Areas of Markham in the flood plain zone, such as west Thornhill, are vulnerable to significant surface and building flooding during severe storm events.
No Pesticides = Clean Water
In an effort to reduce contamination in the water stream, Markham passed one of the strongest pesticide bylaws in the province, regulating the nonessential use of pesticides. As part of its bylaw, Markham requires pesticide applicators, organic and non-pesticide lawn care applicators to be licensed and has set a bylaw fine. Markham has been a leader in eliminating the non-essential use of pesticides, with the municipality not spraying pesticides on either its parks or its sportsfields for more than 15 years.
How do you think Markham is Performing on this topic?
What should Markham be aiming for over the long term?
What changes should Markham implement to get there?
Tell us what YOU think »
