Modified Stage 4 water restrictions

Bluewater Park (BWP) and King Edward Bay (KEB) water users will be allowed to hand water flower and vegetable gardens for a trial period of modified Stage 4 water restrictions. If wells cannot keep up with the demand, the modification will be removed and hand watering will be prohibited again.

Current status of the wells

  • Wells and reservoir levels are being checked every day.
  • KEB reservoir is 90% full, but has not returned to its peak 94% in June.
  • BWP reservoir has a water depth of 1 foot and appears stable, but could drop quickly with overuse.
  • The wells appear to be keeping up with the current demand, however the BWP wells are still not pulling what they should be, the reasons of which are still being investigated. We will notify the communities as soon as the field testing and inspection of these wells is scheduled.

Modified stage 4 water restrictions

NEW MODIFICATIONS:

  • "Hand watering" is watering plants, trees, flower and vegetable gardens with a hand-held watering can.
  • Hand watering is permitted as follows:
    • Odd numbered houses can hand water gardens on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    • Even numbered houses can hand water gardens on Wednesdays and Fridays.
    • Hand watering is not permitted on weekends; if watering must be done on the weekend, purchase rain barrels to fill on the permitted day and store until the weekend.
  • Tips for effective hand watering:
    • Purchase rain barrels and use any collected rainwater first.
    • Water only what needs it.
    • Water early in the morning or in the evening to prevent evaporation.
  • Modified stage 4 is on a trial basis - if the reservoirs drop significantly and do not appear to recover, hand watering will be prohibited again.

ALL OTHER STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE

  • Please do not:
    • Water lawns.
    • Use garden hoses, irrigation systems, or sprinklers.
    • Fill pools, hot tubs or fountains.
    • Wash driveways, sidewalks, vehicles, boats or other equipment.
    • Use power washers.

Help us contact you quickly if we discover a leak

  • BIM is currently dealing with leaks at some properties in the water systems. We make every effort to contact the property owners, however in many cases we only have mailing addresses.
  • Please provide your contact information so that we can contact you by phone or e-mail if we discover high water usage on your water meter.
  • If BIM identifies a leak, every effort will be taken to contact the property owner. If the property owner cannot be contacted, water will be turned off at the property.

Next steps

  • BIM’s consultants, Urban Systems are preparing an interim report to Council to present at a meeting in July (exact date to be determined).
  • Once the report has been presented to Council, staff and the consultants will hold a public information meeting in early August. All residents of Bluewater Park and King Edward Bay are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Please share this information

  • BIM uses an opt-in subscriber service to distribute these updates by e-mail.
  • Please share this information with your neighbours and encourage them to subscribe to receive updates.

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