Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
A state of local emergency has been declared in a village in central British Columbia as drought increases in severity across the province. As of midnight Wednesday, residents of McBride, a Robson Valley community about 180 kilometres southeast of Prince George, are prohibited from washing vehicles or the exteriors of buildings, filling up swimming pools, or watering lawns and gardens.
Prolonged and intense drought conditions are forcing the Sunshine Coast's largest water system to impose its highest-level restrictions on water use starting Friday. Stage 4 water restrictions will prohibit outdoor use of drinking water for more than 20,000 residents in communities including Sechelt, Roberts Creek and Halfmoon Bay until further notice.
The city of St. Albert, Alta., is returning to regular water consumption after its reservoirs were replenished Tuesday. The city had originally asked residents and business owners to conserve water Monday, saying that the reservoirs were at “near critical” levels, but they are now at “normal levels.” “The city is now returning to all essential and non-essential water use including activities such as street sweeping, washing city vehicles, filling pools, hydrant flushing and firefighter training, as needed,” said the city.
Using water from a rain barrel, watering can or other non-municipal sources does not fall under this restriction. The water conservation bylaw is in effect every year from May 31 to Sept. 30. Before it was enacted, water use spiked by 50 per cent during the summer months, putting a strain on the region’s water supply.
A late spring heat wave is prompting the Region of Waterloo to remind residents of the need to conserve water when possible as the annual water conservation bylaw takes effect. On Friday, the region said during these heatwaves it is important for residents to adhere to using outdoor water only when needed and only on their designated watering day.
