City of Grand Forks implements Stage 3 Watering Restrictions beginning Monday
By Boundary Sentinel
The warm, hot summer has taken a toll water supplies everywhere in the province of BC.
This has forced the City of Grand Forks to begin implementing Stage 3 Watering Restrictions effective Monday, September 11th, because of the provincial drought levels.
“We’re asking for the cooperation of all residents as we try to reduce our water demand by 50 percent,” the City of Grand Forks said Friday.
“During the month of August, the City distribution system (all residents and businesses) used 321,360 m3 of water – equal in volume to 129 Olympic swimming pools.”
“It’s estimated that only about 100,000 m3 or one-third of peak summer demand is used indoors with the remainder used mainly for irrigation,” the City of Grand Forks added.
Stage 3 – Once per week Watering
For those consumers connected to the City of Grand Forks water system, outdoor sprinkling is limited to the following days and times.
Evennumbered civic addresses: Watering is only permitted on Saturdays. Odd numbered civic addresses: Watering is only permitted on Sundays.
Manual Sprinklers – From 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Automatic Timed Underground Sprinklers – Either from 12 a.m. (Midnight) until 4 a.m. or from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. & from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. but not both.
No person shall fill a swimming pool, hot tub, garden pond or decorative fountain at any time; or, wash a vehicle or boat with water.
Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and newly planted lawns and landscapes may be hand watered at any time using a hand-held nozzle.
Any sprinklers running Monday to Friday will be out of compliance with the restrictions and subject to bylaw enforcement.
The City will be doing its part in contributing to conserving water by:
- Not watering parks (except the Cemetery, James Donaldson and the Central Ave boulevards will be reduced by 50% of the current watering schedule)
- All other major park sprinkler systems have been shut off except for tree zones and landscapes
- Not engaging in any water distribution and sanitary system flushing unless there is an emergency
The Bylaw Enforcement Officer will continue to enforce watering restrictions by:
- Leaving a red warning flag on the lawn
- Issuing fines for non-compliance
City staff said espite using groundwater to supply the water system, the aquifer Grand Forks draws from interacts with and affects the Kettle River.
“Our water supply is not at risk of failing at this time but the Kettle River is approaching critical low flows and fish habitat is at risk of drying up or becoming too hot,” City of Grand Forks said.
“We all bear responsibility for the impact we have on the environment and the City is being proactive in reducing water demand.”
