Water plays an instrumental role in the foundation of many of the world’s religions. Whether it is used as part of ritual cleansing and purification or embraced as a symbol of growth and fertility, the concept of water management and conservation is integral to the religious practices of many faiths. The goal of this seminar is to rekindle our connection towards the sanctity of water, provide proactive tips that faith groups can use to increase awareness within their congregations and optimize the overall water efficiency of both our homes and institutions. The target audience will be faith communities and homes.

1. Water
A Sacred Trust

2. ONE THOUGHT
The human brain now holds the key to our future.
We have to recall the image of the planet from
outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and
continents are interconnected. That is our home.
- David Suzuki
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

3. AGENDA
Toronto Water Water Efficiency Education/Awareness Resources
Brief background Proactive actions Creative ideas to Accessible
of water use in that can be taken increase resources that
Toronto and the to improve both awareness of provide a wealth
importance of indoor and water use in your of knowledge for
water outdoor water use. community. your congregation.
conservation.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

4. Toronto Water

5. TORONTO WATER
Mission Statement
To provide quality water services through supplying
drinking water and the treatment of wastewater and
stormwater to residents, businesses and visitors in order
to protect public health, safety and property in an
environmentally and a fiscally responsible manner.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

6. QUESTIONS
Why should I
How can water
should I be What can I do to
efficiency help
concerned about conserve water?
our community?
water?
Where do I How much will
start? this cost?
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

7. WHY
CONSERVE?
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8. COMMUNITY
IMPACT
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9. ACTION
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10. Water
Efficiency

11. FIXTURES
Toilets Urinals Faucets Showerheads
Low-flow and High performance Flow constrictors Low-flow
dual-flush models and waterless such as aerators showerheads with
can curb water urinals can reduce save water, a shut-off valve
consumption by at water use. reduce splashing reduce the
least half. and enhance low- amount of water
pressure faucets. wasted.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

12. PRE-RINSE
SPRAY NOZZLE
A pre-rinse spray valve uses a blast of
water to rinse off excess food waste before
loading them into a dishwasher.
•Reduced water costs: Less water flowing
at a higher velocity can be used to achieve
the same goal.
•Improved efficiency: Low-flow units have
a higher water velocity and more effective
spray patterns.
•Less stress on the dishwasher: More
food is removed resulting in an efficient
dishwasher cycle and increases the
longevity of your dishwashing unit.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

13. GRAYWATER
Non-industrial wastewater generated from
domestic processes such as dish washing,
laundry and bathing.
•Step 1 Collect: Graywater is
automatically collected from your shower,
bath and washing machine.
•Step 2 Filter: Lint and other impurities
are intercepted and graywater is filtered
through a progressive filtration technology
without any chemicals.
•Step 3 Flourish: The filtered water is
automatically pumped via dripper irrigation
to areas of your garden.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

14. OUTDOOR WATER
Locally Efficient
Adapted Irrigation
Plants Technology
Non-potable
Xeriscaping
Water
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

15. RAINWATER
HARVESTING
The process of collecting, storing and using
rainwater for alternate uses.
•Outdoor watering: Stored rainwater can
be used for irrigation of lawns and gardens
during dry periods.
•Indoor non-potable uses: Filtered
rainwater can be used to flush toilets and
urinals.
•Innovative uses: Rainwater can be
incorporated into water features such as
fountains and bird baths. Potential laundry
uses as well.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

16. Education &
Awareness

17. WATER
FOOTPRINT
The interest in the water footprint is rooted
in the recognition that human impacts on
freshwater systems can ultimately be
linked to human consumption, and that
issues like water shortages and pollution
can be better understood and addressed
by considering production and supply
chains as a whole.
Water problems are often closely tied to
the structure of the global economy. Many
countries have significantly externalized
their water footprint, importing water-
intensive goods from elsewhere.
This puts pressure on the water resources
in the exporting regions, where too often
mechanisms for wise water governance
and conservation are lacking.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

18. UN WATER
The scope of UN-Water’s work
encompasses all aspects of freshwater and
sanitation, including surface and
groundwater resources and the interface
between freshwater and seawater and
water-related disasters.
UN-Water was established to promote
coherence and coordination in UN System
initiatives that are related to UN-Water’s
scope of work and contribute to the
implementation of the agenda defined by
the 2000 Millennium Declaration and the
2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development.
UN-Water has 26 members from the UN
System and external partners representing
various organizations and civil society.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

19. WATER
FESTIVAL
Children’s water festivals are a creative
and innovative way to introduce young
people to the importance of conserving
water and protecting our watersheds.
There are over 25 festivals across the
province organized by local conservation
authorities, municipalities and
environmental organizations.
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

20. ACTION
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012

21. Resources

22. WEBSITES
Toronto Water: www.toronto.ca/watereff
Children’s Water Education Council: http://www.cwec.ca/
American Water Works Association: http://www.awwa.org/
Water Footprint Network: http://www.waterfootprint.org/
UN Water: http://www.unwater.org/
Water – Use it Wisely: http://wateruseitwisely.com/
Alliance for Water Efficiency: http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/
Muaz Nasir | W ater – A Sacred Trust | 09/20/2 012