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.
About $166,000 in fines were issued to Metro Vancouver residents who did not abide by restrictions put in place this summer to try to conserve water. Of the 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one Treaty First Nation that make up Metro Vancouver, more than half issued fines ranging from $100 to $500 to residents who flouted water-restriction rules put in place Aug 4.
The Town of Cochrane has declared a local state of emergency as it copes with the aftermath of a major pipeline break over the weekend that has left its water reservoirs at critical levels. During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Jeff Genung said he signed off on the declaration because it gives the town legal authority to take "extraordinary actions" to deal with what he called the crisis at hand.
While the outdoor watering restrictions implemented in Calgary on Aug. 15 have already saved an estimated 1.1 billion litres of water, they aren't going away any time soon, say city officials. In order to get through what climate models are predicting to be a dry winter, the City of Calgary is planning to keep outdoor water restrictions in place for the time being, to prevent water stores from dropping too low come spring.
The Bolduc family has been farming and ranching near Stavely, Alta., for generations and this year will be remembered for its scorching heat, lack of rain, parched fields, reduced yields and water restrictions. It's something their family and many others have seen before, but it doesn't make it any easier as they look to harvest whatever they can from their barley, alfalfa and corn fields.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has instituted Level 2 water restrictions because of continuing hot, dry weather. Watering of lawns (including new lawns), gardens, trees, and shrubs is now, under Level 2, only permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The previous Level 1 restrictions allowed watering overnight. Watering by can or hand held hose is still permitted at any time. The Level 2 restrictions also place time restrictions on the washing down of sidewalks and driveways, and prohibits the filling of swimming pools. The RDCK restrictions apply to rural areas. Nelson has its own water restrictions that apply within the city limits.
As summer droughts become increasingly common and more severe in B.C., farmers on the Sunshine Coast are asking to be exempt from emergency water usage restrictions. The district is currently under Stage 2 restrictions — where lawn watering is not permitted, and other types of water usage are permitted with restrictions — but provincial forecasters warn the province could face a long, unusually severe drought this year.
British Columbians need to start taking water-saving measures now and shouldn't wait for official restrictions to be implemented, the minister of emergency management and climate readiness says. Bowinn Ma's advice comes amid a persistent dry spell across the province, with half of B.C.'s water basins currently at Level 4 drought, where Level 5 is the worst. With the lack of rain and record-breaking temperatures in some areas, B.C. is also facing a record-breaking wildfire season.
As the prospect of having a green lawn becomes increasingly unattainable during bone-dry summers with water restrictions in place, a growing number of people are ditching their grass altogether. Kristen Miskelly, owner and operator of Satinflower Nurseries in Vancouver Island's Capital Regional District, says she's seen increased interest and general awareness for her "meadow-making" workshops over the years.
Water usage in the District of Port Hardy has shot up since water conservation restrictions came into effect, according to Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt. Last Wednesday, Port Hardy was placed under Stage 3 water restrictions. But since then, water usage has increased by 20 per cent. It comes as much of B.C. faces drought.
Some Westside Road residents will have to cut back on their watering. Stage 2 outdoor water restrictions are in place for Star Place, Falcon Ridge, Killiney Beach, Sunset Ranch, Upper Fintry / Shalal Road / Valley of the Sun and Westshore water systems. Restrictions are in effect Friday, June 16 and expected to remain in place until Sept. 15, 2023. The restrictions limit outdoor watering to two days a week. Outdoor watering is permitted on Saturdays and Tuesdays for even numbered addresses, and Sundays and Wednesdays for odd numbered addresses.
Before the 2023 water season, the Main Headworks Canal, located in the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID), was shut off so Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation could repair a liner that had been leaking for a few years. The district said when it was turned on in late-April, construction-related leaks were discovered extending the shutdown indefinitely, leaving farmers with just a fraction of their normal irrigation. They are now being told that the Keho Reservoir is also running low.
"The challenge is not necessarily our water sources, but rather our ability to produce and deliver it, " said Marie-Josée Asselin, vice-president of the city's executive committee. "When everyone consumes water at the same time, this is when we put ourselves at risk in terms of distribution and production." Quebec City found that watering lawns has put the most pressure on its drinking water tanks in dry weather.
Several communities on Vancouver Island have started water restrictions as warmer temperatures and sunny weather arrive. Low-level water restrictions, such as when and how much people can water their lawns, are in effect in Nanaimo, Tofino, Parksville, Campbell River and the Comox and Cowichan valleys. "This is about kind of looking forward towards a warm, dry summer season," said Erica Forssman, Nanaimo drinking water and protection program coordinator.
Watering your lawn is a big no-no in Grindrod right now. A temporary outdoor watering ban has been issued by the Regional District of North Okanagan. Spring runoff is causing a slow down at the Grindrod water treatment plant, resulting in restrictions on non-essential water use. Melting snow has caused water entering the plant to contain increased clay and silt particles.
Metro Vancouver is warning its residents and businesses that water usage for lawns will be restricted beginning next month. Starting May 1, seasonal regulations that limit lawn watering to once per week will come into effect in an effort to conserve the region’s drinking water for the coming hot and dry months. “We are increasingly seeing variable weather patterns due to climate change, and we can’t always count on rainfall to replenish our water supply when we need it,” said George V. Harvie, Metro Vancouver board of directors chair.
California's stormy winter, which has brought severe flooding and landslides to the state, has led some local officials to lift water rules. Water conservation restrictions have been relaxed for nearly seven million people in Southern California after the state's 11th atmospheric river this season helped ease drought. But experts cautioned drought remains a long-term concern for the state. "Dry conditions could return as soon as next year," local officials said.
A severe water shortage has prompted a boil water advisory in the village of Alma. In a news release, Mayor Andrew Casey said the water reservoir is at a critically low level, and the village on the edge of Fundy National Park is using its backup well. The village of recommended boiling water for one minute prior to consumption — including water used for mixing juice, dental hygiene, washing vegetables, making ice or any other activity requiring human consumption.
High temperatures putting a stress on the water system have prompted restrictions in Spallumcheen. Hand watering only is in effect, as of 1 p.m. July 28, 2022, for all residents of the Highland Park, Silver Star, Stardel, Round Prairie, Hankey, Pleasant Valley, Lansdowne and Larkin local area services. The stage two restrictions means no sprinlers or irrigation systems can be used to water lawns, gardens, trees or shrubs. Washing of driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and exterior building surfaces is also not permitted.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is implementing mandatory Stage 2 water conservation measures in the Duhamel, South Slocan, and Woodland Heights water systems. These measures are necessary due to the high water demand and heat warnings being issued by Environment Canada, according to a July 26 RDCK news release. The same restriction was placed on the Riondel water system on July 18.
Residents in Guelph are currently forbidden from watering their lawns, and may be fined if they do. A number of regions in Ontario have implemented water restrictions due to the drier than usual weather. “We’re definitely in a dry spell, and as a result, we are using more water in terms of watering lawns and various activities,” said Mari MacNeil, environmental services at the City of Guelph. “Guelph is on an underground water base system. We need to be very careful about our water use.” Environment Canada said since the middle of June, southwestern Ontario has been drier than normal.
