City of Kimberley staff have been keeping a close eye on reservoir levels as the hot, dry summer continues.
“Mike Fox, Manager of Operations, informed me yesterday that reservoir levels are low, in fact, they are currently at levels usually not seen until September,” City CAO Scott Sommerville told the Bulletin on Thursday.
Fox will be attending the regular meeting of Council on Monday, July 13, 2015 to update council, Sommerville says.
“For consideration at Monday night’s regular meeting of council, Mike Fox will be recommending water restrictions as per Bylaw 2148. Council may restrict the use of water for lawn sprinkling, garden watering, irrigation, etc. and may direct the Manager of Operations to establish a restrictive schedule governing such use.”
Failure to comply with the bylaw can result in the City turning off water service to that property until $70 in water turn on/off fees are paid.
According to the City’s website, the average Canadian uses about 120,000 litres (26,396 gallons) per year. In Kimberley, far more than the average is consumed — plus, the demand for water in the summer more than doubles, even in a normal year.
Residents are reminded that Kimberley does have permanent voluntary water restrictions in place that outline just when you can water.
Residents of properties with even-numbered addresses should water only on even-numbered days.
Residents of properties with odd-numbered addresses should water only on odd-numbered days.
Watering should be done between the hours of 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Automatic irrigation systems usually offer the option of activating the system at specified times. Optimum times are between the hours of 12 midnight and 4 a.m. using the odd/even system described above.
All outdoor hoses should be equipped with spring-loaded shut-off nozzles for any use by hand.
Hand watering of plants using a hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle or a hand-held container can be done at any time.
More frequent watering of newly laid sod or newly seeded lawns is expected. Please call City Hall to advise if you plan additional watering for new lawns.