Spring Lake Water Health
Environmental Public Health - Water Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off
Provided by: Alberta Health Services - Provincial Health Services
Stan Woloshyn Building
Telephone: 1-833-476-4743 (Intake)
205 Diamond Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta T7X 3A8
HOURS OF OPERATION | HOW TO ACCESS THIS SERVICE |
Monday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM | Walk-in / Drop In Service |
Tuesday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM | Wheelchair Accessible |
Wednesday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM | Interpreter/Translation services |
Thursday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM | |
Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM | RELATED SUBJECTS |
* Closed from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM daily | Public Health Issues |
Tap Water Testing | |
Public Health Desk Sample Drop-off Days: | Water Quality Assurance |
Monday to Wednesday before 12:00 PM noon. | |
* Collect the sample the same morning you submit it. | KEY PROVIDERS MAY INCLUDE |
public health inspectors | |
OTHER NAMES | |
water testing bottles (Other), testing water (Other) |
Water Conservation Practices
What is Water Conservation?
Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage. According to Fresh Water Watch, water conservation is important because fresh clean water is a limited resource, as well as a costly one. As a homeowner, you’re probably already well aware of the financial costs of inefficient water use. Conservation of this natural resource is critical for the environment — and our wallets.
BEST PRACTISES FOR |
THESE ARE BEST TO AVOID |
Do Collect Rain water |
Avoid Cutting trees |
Do Plant drought resistant plants, shrubs, trees |
Avoid Messing with water sources eg: ponds, lakes, wells |
Do Use mulch to retain moisture around trees and shrubs |
Avoid Letting water run while brushing teeth, shaving, rinsing dishes |
Do Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation |
Avoid letting taps drip or toilets run |
Do Use direct watering to the roots |
Avoid Flushing toilets after every use |
Do Reuse water when you can eg: wash fruits and vegetables in a basin, then use the water to water house plants |
Avoid Using the garden hose for outdoor cleaning, use a broom |
Do Shower vs bathing |
Avoid Letting any leak go unattended |
Do Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss |
Avoid Using a garbage disposal unit, compost instead |
Do Take a water wells workshop |
Avoid Installing ornamental water features unless they recirculate water |
Do Install a low flow, dual flush toilet |
Avoid Fertilizing during a dry spell |
Do Use a displacement device in toilet tank to cut down on water used if it is not a low flow toilet |
Avoid Over fertilizing your lawn if you do fertilize |
Do Start composting |
Avoid planting during peak dryness |
Do Water early or late in the day and water longer and deeper. This uses less water in the long term |
Avoid Worring if your lawn turns brown during extreme heat, this is a dormancy period rather than a dead lawn |
Do Pull all weeds in lawn and garden |
Avoid Letting weeds get a hold in your garden, they steal needed moisture |
Do Trim dead leaves and flowers |
Avoid Planting specialty plants that need extra water |
Do Check your well pump regularly |
Avoid Running partial loads of dishes/clothes |
Do Keep drinking water in the fridge |
Avoid Running water to get cold for drinking |
Do Use energy efficient appliances |
Avoid Watering lawns vs trees or shrubs in extreme heat |
Do Cut your grass higher (3” or higher) |
Avoid Using the toilet as a garbage can |
Do water only lawn and garden not sidewalk |
Avoid Using a running hose to wash your car |
10 Easy Water Conservation Tips
Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage. According to Fresh Water Watch, water conservation is important because fresh clean water is a limited resource, as well as a costly one. As a homeowner, you’re probably already well aware of the financial costs of inefficient water use. Conservation of this natural resource is critical for the environment — and our wallets.
These 10 water-saving tips will put you on the path to conserving water in your household.
1. Put a brick in your toilet’s water tank. You flush an average of 20 gallons of water a day down the toilet. If you don’t have a high-efficiency toilet, try filling your tank with something that will displace some of that water, such as a brick.
2. Use the right amount of water for each load of laundry. Typically 15-40 percent of indoor home water use comes from doing laundry. Save water by making sure to adjust the settings on your machine to the proper load size.
3. Pick your washing machine wisely. When considering top-load vs. front-load washers, front-loading washing machines generally use less water.
4. Water plants wisely. Water your lawn or garden early in the morning or late in the evening, so the water lasts and is not immediately evaporated by the hot sun.
5. Install a low-flow showerhead. With a low-flow showerhead, you can save 15 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower.
6. Check for and repair leaks. An average of 10,000 gallons of water is wasted every year due to household leaks. One of the most effective ways to cut your water footprint is to repair leaky faucets and toilets.
7. Use a dishwasher. Dishwashing accounts for less than 2 percent of indoor water use, but using a machine is actually more water-efficient than hand washing, especially if you run full loads. ENERGY STAR® dishwashers save about 1,600 gallons of water over its lifetime of use.
8. Turn off the water. Teach your whole household to turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving. Every little bit of water conservation helps!
9. Defrost food in the fridge. Instead of running frozen foods under hot water from the faucet, build in time to let them defrost in the refrigerator.
10. Manage outdoor water use. Don’t forget about water conservation outside as well. Equip all hoses with shut-off nozzles, which can prevent hose leaks.
What Are Some Other Methods for Water Conservation?
There are numerous ways we can conserve water to benefit ourselves and the planet. The following are various methods for water conservation that can be implemented to reduce our water footprint.
Redistributing Water
Not only does redistribution of water reduce waste, but it also delivers water to areas that need it during times of water shortages and drought. To redistribute water, excess water storage collected from canals, irrigation systems, and pipes must be transported and redistributed where necessary.
Modernizing Irrigation Methods
If the agricultural industry were to update to modern irrigation methods, they could save thousands of gallons each year, making their systems more water-efficient. Modern irrigation methods like drip irrigation reduce runoff waste and evaporation, thus conserving water.
Grey Water Recycling
Grey water recycling is one of the easiest ways to conserve water. Essentially, grey water recycling saves used wastewater from showers, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and washing machines to water plants, flush toilets, and water grass. If you use grey water for these tasks, you can reduce by up to 70 liters of domestic potable water usage.
Rainwater Harvesting
One of the most effective methods is to harvest rainwater to replenish groundwater levels and conserve natural water. During this water conservation method, you will collect rainwater and allow it to percolate into a reservoir or bottomless pit. When this is done, the water seeps through the ground and improves the groundwater table.
Installation of Water Meters
Consider installing a water meter at your home or business to reduce water wastage. Water meters measure how much water is used and let you know when you have a water leak which you can discern if your water bill is higher than usual one month. It can also help you determine what you can do to use less water.
Increase Forest Cover
If we fight deforestation and increase forest cover by planting more trees, we can reduce the amount of rainfall lost because of evaporation. Reducing the amount of rain lost also helps to conserve groundwater.
Additionally, since trees are far more drought tolerant than other plants, we can protect our water sources from disappearing by planting more trees alongside natural reservoirs and river beds.
Information Source: Home Water