The District of 100 Mile House has enacted new water restrictions effective immediately.
According to a press release issued on Thursday, Aug. 8, the district is prohibiting outside watering or sprinkling of lawns due to dry conditions and low aquifer water levels. Residents and businesses are being asked to cut back on all water usage to help conserve water.
District of 100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney said that they enacted the restrictions after they received an alarm from the district's water treatment plant that alerted them to the low levels of water in the aquifer.
"So we need to stop the use of unneeded use of water," stated Pinkney.
To conserve water, the district has shut off the spray park located in Centennial Park and closed the bulk water station and the sani dump until further notice. Pinkney noted it is unfortunate they have to shut down the spray park especially.
"Which is very unfortunate - summer holidays - this is when we want all the kids to be using it," Pinkney said.
On Friday, Aug. 9 Tammy Boulanger, the district's chief administration officer, noted that the low aquifer levels are alarming which is why the district has taken these steps, out of an abundance of caution. She added that the district has also suspended all its municipal irrigation activities to ensure the community has access to potable water.
District staff, engineers, and consultants are rigorously testing well sources, evaluating volume recovery, and closely monitoring the aquifer levels that supply water to the community," Boulanger stated.
The restrictions will be enforced by the district's by-law officer, who will be going around the District of 100 Mile House to inform the public of the restrictions on Thursday. After that enforcement will be carried out using a complaint-driven system.
"(Residents will) be told about those restrictions, the second time will be a warning and then we can issue fines," Pinkney said, noting the district would like to avoid issuing any fines.
The mayor says that residents can best abide by the restrictions by fixing leaky taps as well as turning off taps when they are brushing their teeth.
"Don't leave showers running before you get in them and have shorter showers. It is going to save so much water," Pinkney advised. "Absolutely no watering outside. I mean, it's sad, but move your plants into shaded areas if you can."
Pinkney said she has no idea when the water restrictions will be lifted, but states they will know more soon. She said the district is committed to keeping residents informed throughout this process as the district's staff learns more.
Pinkney believes the low aquifer levels are partly due to the low snowpack that 100 Mile House received this year. She also noted there was a lack of rainfall this spring and that 100 Mile House has been experiencing a largely hot and dry summer.
"And Mother Nature is constantly changing - how she's delivering stuff to us," Pinkney noted. "We deeply appreciate the community’s cooperation and efforts in conserving water during this time."
