Fall checklist

Protecting Calgary’s precious water resources is a shared responsibility among The City of Calgary, businesses and Calgarians.

There are many actions you can take to ensure your home is water-efficient and prepared for winter. This simple fall checklist is a great place to start. 

Discover a library of tips and tools for creating a water-efficient home.

Homeowner Water Guide

Outdoor

Around the yard

  • Check the Watering 101 Guide to find out when to stop watering shrubs and trees.
  • Consult the YardSmart plant list for any seasonal additions (e.g., bulbs).
  • Leave plant debris in beds over winter to help retain soil moisture and support pollinators and other beneficial insects.
  • Add mulch around perennials and trees to protect roots from frost.
  • Prune trees and shrubs as appropriate for the season (follow best-practice guidance).
  • Let your lawn go dormant — stop watering and stop cutting.

Maintenance

  • Turn off the outdoor water supply to avoid winter leaks. Disconnect and drain hoses; store them indoors.
  • Winterize and shut down your irrigation system to prevent freezing and leaks (drain/blow out lines, shut the controller, protect the backflow device as required).
  • Clean and winterize your rain barrel (drain completely, disconnect the diverter, store upside down or indoors).
  • Optional: Insulate exterior hose bibs and exposed pipes to reduce freeze damage.

Indoor

  • Check for leaks in toilets, taps (faucets), humidifier, hot water heater, water softener and other water-using devices.
  • Use your water meter to check for sneaky leaks every six months as part of regular home maintenance.
  • Check your sump pump for leaks or damage.
  • Clean the backflow valve in your basement (if present).
  • Consider replacing old appliances (dishwasher/washing machine) with high-efficiency models.
  • Consider replacing older toilets, faucets and showerheads with WaterSense-approved models.
  • Service your hot water heater, water softener and humidifier.
  • Use the Homeowner Water Guide for step-by-step instructions on fixing toilet and faucet leaks.

Homeowner Water Guides for the Spring and Fall Checklist

​​​​​​​​
undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null