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Adapting to a Changing Climate in Saskatchewan

Along with reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is also important for Saskatchewan to be able to adapt to a changing climate. Climate models predict that Saskatchewan will face a warmer, dryer climate as global temperatures continue to rise. A major implication of this is that water availability may become an issue in some areas of the province. In fact many individuals and communities already face water quantity and quality issues in Saskatchewan’s semi-arid environment.

Lumsden area retired teacher Barry Mitschke is no stranger to water conservation. For the past 25 years, Barry and his family have lived in a house that uses about 20% of the water of an average conventional house. “Growing up on the farm, I was always interested in nature” says Barry. “In the late seventies I got a chance to build my dream house, one that would use less water and less energy, and here we are today.”

A water saving feature of the Mitschke house is a composting toilet that handles human wastes and organic garbage. Chutes run from two toilets and the kitchen area to a tank that can handle wastes from the family and any number of guests. Composted wastes are removed annually and then composted outside for an additional year to ensure that the finished material is safe for use as a soil amendment.

            Another water saving feature of the Mitschke house is a grey water recycling system. Instead of disposing of waste water, the used running water from kitchen sinks, basins, laundry and showers is stored in a buried, vertical culvert. This water can be safely used to irrigate lawns, flowers and trees. Gray water can also be recycled to flush toilets.

            While Barry has always been interested in conservation, another reason for his family’s water efforts is that nearly all of the water that they do use around the house comes from rainwater, which Mitschke collects in a 5,000 gallon cistern in the basement. “On average we receive around 11 or 12 inches of rain a year. The fact that we aren’t flushing most of our water away means that we could probably be self sufficient on about 3 inches of rain a year,” says Barry. “It also means that we are saving a lot of money. With some of those savings I was able to build a beautiful sunroom on our house last year.”

While technologies such as composting toilets and grey water recycling are becoming more and more affordable and readily available in Saskatchewan, Barry is the first to admit that these technologies may not be practical for everyone. But according to Barry, the most important ingredient in reducing water usage is not the technology, but rather your mindset. As Saskatchewan water sources start to feel the heat, there are a number of simple actions that people can take to reduce their water usage. “Not everybody has to use a composting toilet, just be conscious of where and how you are using water and then control it. Actions as simple as changing to a low flow shower head, installing a low flush toilet, collecting rainwater for your lawn and garden and monitoring your watering, laundry and other water usage can go a long way in insuring that there is enough water to go around in the future.”