Some Foothills residents will be under new water conservation measures this summer.
County council gave final approval to its water use and conservation bylaw on March 10, after providing first reading in January. The bylaw applies to those residents who currently receive water from the County, not to those who draw only from private wells.
Municipal manager Harry Riva Cambrin recommended council take a look at operating on Level I restrictions through the year similar to municipalities like Black Diamond and Turner Valley.
“It’s something council will need to consider for the Millarville area as well, as we’re coming very close to our licence limits based on the amount of water that’s being used on that system by certain people,” said Riva Cambrin.
Coun. Delilah Miller, who sits as the chair for the Sheep River Utility Corp., agreed adding that it’s only fair for Foothills County to impose the same restrictions as its neighbouring municipalities.
“We will be criticized harshly, I believe, if we don’t follow that format,” said Miller. “To have our residents being able to use water as they wish when the others are on restrictions, I don’t believe is in good form and I think we should be looking at imposing the same restrictions.”
Under the new bylaw, the County CAO can impose restrictions for residents when necessary, limiting non-essential and outdoor water use to reduce strain on the municipality’s system.
Non-essential uses include washing vehicles, streets, sidewalks, parking lots or paved areas unless necessary for public safety or sanitation; irrigating lawns, trees, sports fields or ornamental plants; filling fountains, swimming pools, hot tubs, or public recreation facilities like rinks; recreational use of sprinklers and water toys; and water for construction such as grading or compacting.
Those who receive water from the County will be placed on Level I restrictions, which limits watering lawns to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for odd-numbered addresses and Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for even-numbered addresses. In addition, watering may only occur between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
During water shortages for any reason, the County CAO can impose Level II or Level III restrictions.
At Level II, lawns may be watered on Thursdays and Sundays for odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Saturdays for even-numbered addresses, with the same time restrictions. Additionally, flower beds and gardens can be watered by hand during the prescribed times.
Level III prohibits all outdoor and non-essential water use.
The rules are similar to those in Black Diamond, said Riva Cambrin.
Coun. Jason Parker questioned whether summertime play, such as children running through sprinklers, would also be limited along with watering lawns.
Technically it is not allowed under the bylaw, said Riva Cambrin, though he added he’s not aware of any situation where an individual has been ticketed for having their children play in a sprinkler on a summer day.
“If it’s done under the guise of watering your lawn when you’re not supposed to, then enforcement could pay you a visit,” said Riva Cambrin.
Miller said urban municipalities seem to be aware of that particular situation.
“They also in Turner Valley have a spray park, so that kind of helps mitigate the sprinkler issue,” she said. “But there was comment that residents should not be allowing kids to run through sprinklers and they should head off to the spray park, so they have that option.”
