Water Conservation

Township of Severn is committed to reducing water use, loss and waste. We promote water conservation and encourage you to do your part to help reduce water usage and protect our water sources for generations to come.

Rain Barrel sales launch February 27

Pre-orders for rain barrels open online starting February 27, 2026.

Rain barrels are available at a discounted community rate of $65 through our partnership program with Rainbarrel.ca. Optional diverters can also be purchased when pre-ordering.

Residents can also place pre-orders in person at one of our two Severn Connects events. Visit our News and Notices page for full event details.

Please note, rain barrels must be pre-ordered in advance. The deadline to order your rain barrel is April 10.

Rain barrel pick-up will take place on April 14 at the Township’s Public Works South Yard, located at 4251 Burnside Line, between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Why buy a rain barrel?

Purchasing a rain barrel is a small investment that delivers lasting benefits for your home and community.

Save water — and money

Collect rainwater to water your garden, lawn, and outdoor plants without using treated municipal water. This can help reduce your water use and lower your bill.

Protect local waterways

Rainwater harvesting reduces stormwater runoff from your property. Less runoff means fewer pollutants entering local streams, rivers, and lakes — helping protect the natural environment we all share.

Healthier plants

Rainwater is free of chlorine and other additives found in treated tap water, making it ideal for flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees.

Be prepared

During dry periods or watering restrictions, stored rainwater provides a convenient backup supply for outdoor use.

Easy to install and maintain

Rain barrels are simple to setup and require minimal maintenance. Your rain barrel will include a secure lid, overflow hose, spigot, and debris screen.

Lawn watering

To help conserve water and reduce costs, our Lawn Watering By-law restricts water usage from May 15 to November 1 each year. These dates are subject to change at the decision of Township staff.

If you live at an:

• even numbered address, you can water your lawn on even numbered days
• odd numbered address, you can water your lawn on odd numbered days

You can water from the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Water leaks

It's a good idea to check your plumbing or perform a water audit to ensure that you don't have any leaks. High water bills can result from: 

• plumbing leaks in toilets or fixtures
• an increase in the number of people living or working in your dwelling
• hot, dry weather that results in general increase in water
• renovations, recent landscaping, or filling a swimming pool

If you have a leak, your water use will increase and remain high until the leak is fixed, affecting your water bill. If you discover a leak in your home, call a plumber for repairs. Please contact us if you suspect a leak in your service line.

Estimated cost of a water leak

*Estimated bill includes 2026 base charge water rate of $232.08 and assumes the user has exceeded the 68 m3 and is then being charged for $3.06/m3 in excess of 68 m3. 

Conservation tips

Here are some tips to help you conserve water:

• don't over water your lawn (only requires 2.5 cm of water per week)
• avoid watering your lawn during the hottest part of the day to limit evaporation
• only run your dishwasher and washing machines when fully loaded
• check that water softeners do not start continually running after a power outage
• invest in water and energy saving units
• invest in water saving fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and water wise showerheads
• use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways
• cover your swimming pool to limit evaporation by 90%