It may not feel like summer right now, thanks to our lingering winter weather.

However, hot dry days will soon be upon us, meaning water usage is about to skyrocket.

Dawn Smith, is the Environment and Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Okotoks, she says we use way more water in the summer months, August being the worst.

"Spring / summer is our highest water use throughout the year.  To combat that, we have an annual Water Conservation Rebate Program." Smith says "It tends to specifically focus on outdoor measures, because that's when water usage increases the most and when our water resources are at their lowest."

The rebate program works, by giving residents incentives to buy or add products to their homes that they otherwise wouldn't due to cost.

Smith says this will be the last year the town plans on rebating low flow toilets, as they have become market standard now.

"The whole intent of the program is to get people to make, either purchases that they wouldn't have originally made - say they're not going to buy that mulch, or buy that rain barrel that's specifically for water conservation, Or give them a reason to go above and beyond what the market standard is.  We're not going to rebate toilets that people will be buying anyways in the future, because that's all you can buy now."

On May 1st, the online application will be available to residents, through the Town's website.

Smith shares, if you don't have access to a computer, you will be able to apply in person.

"The application is available online, as of May 1st. We would prefer for people to apply online, but if they have an issue or don't have a computer they can come into the municipal centre and request a paper form, but we do ask that people do it online, that way everything is already filed and saved on the system."

For more information on what type of products you can receive a rebate for click here for a link to the rebate page, on the Town's website.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com