Water Conservation

Fix-A-Leak Week happens every March - This year it runs from March 16th to 22nd with March 22nd also being Word Water Day!

If you want to see the latest highlight of our Fix-A-Leak Week campaign, visit our Facebook page here: Centre Wellington Facebook

Here is the link to the Fix-A-Leak Week 10 minute challenge checklist! 10 MINUTE CHALLENGE

Watering Restrictions:

The Township maintains a year-round watering restriction through By-Law 2024-66.

The use of municipal water through a hose or other attachment for lawn watering is subject to the following regulations:

• Homes with EVEN house numbers – watering is allowed on EVEN calendar days.
• Homes with ODD house numbers - watering is allowed on ODD calendar days.
• Outdoor use for the above activities is only permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

People must obey watering restrictions or fines may result.

The Outdoor Water Use Program has several levels that may change throughout the year,

Click here to view the Water Use Levels 0-2 Chart.

Click here to view the Water Use Levels 0-3 Chart.

Exemptions are permitted, but must be applied for.  For further information regarding outdoor water use, please contact us.

Apply for a Sod Watering Permit by clicking here.

In the case of an extreme emergency, the Township has the authority to ban any non-essential uses of water.

Smart Watering Tips

• Lawns only need about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week including any rain.
• The height of the lawn should be 7.5 cm (3 inches) to protect and promote deeper root growth, retain moisture, and help crowd out weeds. Consider leaving grass clippings on your lawn as they act as nutrient rich mulch.
• If you have an irrigation system, install water sensors to prevent the system from running on days when it is raining to protect from over-watering. 
• Consider placing a rain barrel at the downspout to collect untreated water to use in your garden. Use mulch in your flowerbeds and around trees to retain moisture.
• Don't be afraid to let your grass go brown - it's not dead! Grass can go dormant for more than 6 weeks without water and bounce right back!

Choose Native Plant Gardens

• Native plants are those that would otherwise grow in the wild in our area, and they use much less water and are well suited to our local climate compared to non-native plants.
• Native gardens can help with water infiltration into the sub surface to replenish our aquifers, and prevent excess runoff that can occur with large mowed lawns.

The Township of Centre Wellington will be accepting applications for rebates on new water-efficient toilets (single or dual flush) purchased to replace existing high-flow toilets. Please read the Terms and Conditions thoroughly to understand the eligibility criteria for the rebate program. The rebate program is open to:

• Residential, Institutional, and Small Commercial users;
• Users who are connected to Township water and wastewater services;
• Users replacing toilet(s) with a flush volume greater than or equal to 6 Litres per flush;
• Users replacing above toilet(s) with WaterSense® Certified model(s); and 
• Is limited to 2 toilet rebates per municipal address.

The rebate will be in the amount of $75 per eligible replacement toilet.

The application form can be found HERE

Please note: the Program for 2026 is limited to 100 total rebates, and is first come, first served.

Below are examples images to help find your old toilet's flush capacity/model number:

For more information please contact the Water Conservation Coordinator.

The Water Softener Rebate Program administered by the Infrastructure Services Department offers rebates  to residents for replacing residential water softeners with new, more water efficient units.  Applications for the rebate are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. An application submission does not guarantee a resident will receive a rebate. 

Eligibility is conditional upon the replacement of a softener with one of the two program options:

Option 1: Replacement of an existing “time-based” water softener with a “demand-based” water softener certified by the NSF/ANSI 44 standard. Rebates under option 1 will be $250.

Option 2: Replacement of an existing water softener with an alternative salt-free NAC/TAC water conditioning unit that does not require last or additional water inputs to operate.

The program helps the Township continue to support water efficiency, education and conservation. The application is limited to one rebate per municipal address.  Rebates under option 2 will be $500.

Application eligibility is as follows:

• Applicants who are connected to municipal water and wastewater services and receive a water bill are eligible for options 1 and 2.
• Applicants who have a septic system that lies within an Issue Contributing Area (ICA) for chloride within Centre Wellington are eligible for Option 2 only. ( see links to ICAs below)

Applications for the rebate will be processed on a first come first served basis and capped at 75 rebates. The application submission does not guarantee a rebate. Currently the application is only open to residents, applicants who fall into the Industrial, Commercial, and Multi-unit Residential categories are advised to contact the Infrastructure Services Department for more information on future rebate programs (519.846.9691 ext. 269.)

PLEASE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO APPLICATION SUBMISSION.

Water Softener Rebate Program Terms and Conditions: Water Softener Rebate Terms And Conditions 2026

APPLICATION FORM: HERE

Fergus Issue Contributing Area for Chloride Address List: Water Softener Rebate ICA Properties In Fergus

Elora, Salem, Nichol & Pilkington Issue Contributing Area for Chloride Address List: Water Softener Rebate ICA Properties In Elora, Salem, Nichol And West Garafraxa (1)

The Water Audit and Capacity Buy-Back Program will be administered by the Infrastructure Services Department of the Township of Centre Wellington effective May, 2026.The Township offers this incentive to Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional customers to offset the capital costs incurred by an Applicant for the purchase and installation of technology or physical process changes that result in long-term reduction in water consumption. To be eligible for participation in the Program, a facility must be:

• Located within the Township boundary;
• Connected to municipal water supply and municipal sewer infrastructure;
• NOT have a private well, NOR a septic system in use on it’s property;
• Classified as an Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) or Community property, and;
• Have an average monthly water use volume in excess of three-hundred cubic meters (>300m3).

Applications for the Program are processed on a first come, first served basis. Application submission does not guarantee successful participation in the Program. The Township reserves the right to acceptor reject any application. The Program includes a full facility water pre-audit to be conducted by a consultant arranged by the Township. Unless otherwise specified by the Township, the amount of incentive to be paid will be equal to:

1. One time incentive of up to 50% of retrofit cost to a maximum of $10,000 calculated based on a rebate of $1000 per cubic meter (m3) of water saved per average day, as verified by the pre-audit and post-audit of water consumption at the Applicant’s facility.

PLEASE READ THE PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS HERE CAREFULLY PRIOR TO INQUIRING

Prospective Applicants are asked to email the Water Conservation Coordinator to inquire about eligibility.