Simple ways to go green this Earth Day

[guest]

Today is Earth Day – a day to celebrate the environmental diversity of Earth and highlight ways that we can protect our planet.

As a city, Ottawa is fortunate to be surrounded by 4,500 kilometres of rivers and streams that produce some of the safest and most reliable drinking water in the world. We draw our water from the Ottawa River and we need your help to protect this natural water source.

Here are some things you can do, not only on Earth Day, but every day, to protect our water system and monitor water use:

• Keep Ottawa’s rivers clean and free of waste.
• Only flush the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper - down your toilet.
  • Reminder: cleaning wipes, hygiene products and flushable wipes belong in the garbage – not the toilet.
• Dispose of kitchen grease in your green bin and not down the drain to avoid clogged pipes that could cause a sewer backup and create disgusting fatbergs in our system.
• Properly dispose of contaminants like paint, oil, pharmaceuticals and chemicals instead of putting them down the drain, in catch basins or ditches. The materials collected in our roadside catch basins and ditches go directly to the rivers and can be harmful to people and the environment.
• Redirect your downspout to a permeable area like a lawn or garden so that water runoff from your property doesn't lead directly to the river.
• Choose drought resistant plants for your summer garden to lower maintenance and maximize water savings.
• Use a rain barrel or soaker hoses to water thirsty flowers in your garden and increase water efficiency.
• Set alerts on your Service Ottawa water bill account that notify you of sudden changes in water use.
• Drink tap water! Did you know that you can fill your 750 ml reusable water bottle 400 times from the tap for just $1?

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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