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Water use inches down

Average still above BC and national statistics

Although Powell River residents have reduced the amount of water they use, the average is still significantly above BC and national averages.

According to the City of Powell River’s website, the water consumption average for users on the Haslam Lake system is 688 litres per day per person, down from 738 litres. The average for the Powell Lake system is 709 litres per person per day, down from 919 litres.

The BC Water and Waste Association reports BC residents use an average of 490 litres per day, which is more than the Canadian average of 329 litres.

Jeremy Sagebiel, the city’s engineering technologist, water and roads, talked about Drinking Water Week, May 1 to 7, at the April 28 city council meeting. “Although we have quite a bit of water in the area, and we are very fortunate with the quality of water we have, it’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted,” he said.

The city is postponing events to mark Drinking Water Week until the completion of its drinking water project, which includes hooking up Wildwood to the Haslam Lake system, ultra-violet disinfection and a reservoir. “The hope is to bring everything public all at once, to introduce the brand-new infrastructure, which we were fortunate to get $8.4 million to construct, as well as highlight water conservation at that time,” Sagebiel said.