GF moves to Stage 2 water restrictions
By Contributor
Gardens and lawns across BC are taking a beating this year with the hot dry weather conditions. To help conserve water and ensure there is enough water to last through the summer and fall, the City of Grand Forks has moved to Stage 2 Water restrictions.
STAGE 2: TWICE A WEEK WATERING EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
- “EVEN” numbered civic addresses: Watering is only permitted on Saturdays and Tuesdays, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- · “ODD” numbered civic addresses: Watering is only permitted on Sundays and Wednesdays, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Automatic Timed Underground Sprinklers can water between 12:00 a.m. (midnight) until 4:00 a.m. Note: Properties equipped with an automated time clock sprinkler system may only sprinkle between the hours of either 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 4:00 a.m. OR 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. BUT NOT BOTH. Even and odd numbered civic addresses still apply to automated sprinkler systems. • Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and newly planted lawns and landscapes may be hand watered at any time using a hand held nozzle.
- Washing of driveways and vehicles is not allowed, except for commercial car washes.
- Homeowners are encouraged to purchase a timer for their outside taps.
To encourage additional water conservation, Council has also resolved to include the use of residential water for washing cars, driveways and sidewalks in the Stage 2 Water Restrictions.
Washing of driveways and vehicles is not allowed, except for commercial car washes. Sprinkling will be monitored by Bylaw enforcement.
The Manager of Operations for the City, David Reid, recognizes that the need for residents to continue to be vigilant in following stage 2 water restrictions is more important than ever. He points out “that even though the area has received a little rain we are still a long way from escaping drought conditions in this valley.”
The City maintains Stage 1 Water Restrictions throughout the year, allowing watering on alternate days in order to proactively manage water levels and water infrastructure.
Due to the diminished snow pack and the low volume of rain to date with high heat, the City has now implemented Stage 2 Water Restrictions, and may need to implement more restrictive conservation measures should the current warm weather trend continue.
Water restrictions help all residents. It helps conserve water, reduces power to pump and treat the water and reduces costs to taxpayers. To help, if someone forgets and waters on the wrong day or time, they may find a friendly reminder in the form of a Water Smart yellow flag on their lawn.
These timely reminders are intended to increase awareness about the restrictions, as well as share water conservation tips. Council has put a call out to the public asking for voluntarily reducing watering of lawns. Forget your day to water?
Simply visit our website at www.grandforks.ca for a full list of all sprinkling regulations and water conservation tips or call us 250-442-8266.
