A new, four-stage water-use bylaw will help remind the public of the importance of water conservation, said Tor Birtig, City of Powell River’s director of infrastructure.
During last summer’s drought, while Vancouver Island communities went into stage-four water restrictions, Powell River residents concerned about dropping water levels at the city’s reservoir found that the city did not have similar restrictions seen in many other BC municipalities.
Birtig said Powell River’s water consumption rates are abnormally high. Haslam Lake’s level dropped, but supply was not in jeopardy, said Birtig.
“We do have a great resource in our watershed,” said Birtig. “We get spoiled with the amount of water we have and that leads to wasting.”
In December 2015, city council adopted bylaw 2425, 2015, which sets water-use restrictions depending on weather conditions and the amount of water available in the reservoir. The first of two water-awareness signs was erected near the old dump above Willingdon Beach on Friday, July 8. The location of the second sign has yet to be determined.
According to mayor Dave Formosa, turning off the tap has added benefits, besides saving a finite resource.
“The more we practice turning off that tap while we brush our teeth, watering on the days we need to water and not overwatering, we’ll all save money on the city’s infrastructure costs, which will mean we don’t have to tax as much,” said Formosa.
Formosa added the community is blessed with an abundance of water, but there needs to be a reminder of the importance of conservation because the city is paying for it before it comes out of the tap and also once it goes down the drain.
Similar to how local fire departments use signs to inform the community about summer wildfire risks, the city will be using the new water-stage indicator signs to say what tier of restriction the city is currently at.
“The signs are a reminder for the need for conservation at all times,” said Birtig. “We don’t have an infinite supply.”
The city is currently at stage one.
Four stages
The city’s new water restrictions include four stages.
Stage one: Properties with odd-numbered street addresses may water on odd calendar days. Properties with even-numbered street addresses may water on even calendar days.
Stage two: Properties with odd-numbered street addresses may water between 12 am and 9 am on odd calendar days. Properties with even-numbered street addresses may water between 12 am and 9 am on even calendar days.
Stage three: Properties with odd-numbered street addresses may water between 12 am and 9 am on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Properties with even-numbered street addresses may water between 12 am and 9 am on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Stage four: All forms of watering using tap water are prohibited.
