City looks to turn off the tap and institute permanent watering restrictions
By Timothy Schafer
The free flowing watering ways that Nelsonites have enjoyed for decades could have the tap turned off as the city nears the permanent imposition of stage one watering restrictions.
City council gave three readings to an amendment to the Waterworks Regulation Bylaw Monday night that would override historical rates of normal watering and usage conditions in the city with what had previously been stage one restrictions — instituted in times of drought at the height of summer.
The motions passed unanimously paving the way for adoption next month as council begins to make good on its target of a reduction in water consumption in the city by 20 per cent, “while allowing for development in line with Official Community Plan targets.”
The city first adopted a Waterworks Regulation Bylaw in October of 2015. But with water usage rising, and the health and longevity of the water supply in some question, the bylaw had been amended to change what were previously stage one water restrictions to be the normal condition for watering.
“It has become clear that what were considered extreme weather events and unusual weather patterns have become the norm,” wrote Frances Long, director of corporate services, in her report to council on the amendment.
“Global warming is a fact and protection of our water resource is no longer an optional activity, but must be part of our normal responsibility in delivering services to the public.”
Changes in the regulatory bylaw include:
- “short supply of water” has been removed and incorporated into the new part eight: water use restriction stages;
- water use restriction stages has been added and includes language indicating the use of the “normal” watering restriction;
- what was previously stage one water restrictions is now normal watering condition, and stages two through four have been renumbered stages one through three.
The new changes affect lawn watering, with homeowners allowed to run a sprinkler or irrigation system to water a lawn growing on a property every second day — alternating even-numbered addresses on even days, and odd-numbered homes on odd-number days.
As well, people can only water between the hours of 4-9 a.m. and 7-10 p.m.
A person may also water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day with a sprinkler during the prescribed hours on any day at any time if watering is done by hand-held containers or a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
People who have installed a new lawn can apply for a permit to water more frequently. In addition, the restrictions do not affect the supply and use of water at nurseries, farms and orchards.
Public authorities may water lawns, boulevards and playing fields on any day at any time during stage one restrictions.
As well as the overall reduction in water consumption, the city is looking to develop a safe and adequate water supply, along with an emergency water supply system to make the community more resilient to drought events. In addition, the city is expected to develop a secondary source to supplement the Five Mile Creek water supply.
According to the City of Nelson’s Strategic Plan for 2015‐2018, an investment of $24 million will be poured into the city’s utilities over the next four years.
Nelson is not alone in its efforts to conserve water. Water conservation measures have been put in place across the province already this year.
In June the Regional District of Central Kootenay instituted stage one water conservation measures for the Town of Creston and all RDCK in anticipation of water consumption rising by up to 200 per cent as the summer months approached.
In the regional district, watering of lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs is permitted only between 7 p.m. – 10 a.m. Watering of gardens, trees and shrubs using drip irrigation, a watering can, and or hand-held hose, which eliminates over-spray, is permitted at any time.
In early May stage one water restrictions came into effect in Metro Vancouver and officials warned residents that if they ignored the rules they risked a fine of $500. The city said more bylaw officers would be on patrol to look for people who violated the restrictions. Record-setting April temperatures created greater demand for water.
The report from city staff said Nelsonites will be “assisted in incorporating water conservation into their normal daily life activities,” but no mention on fines or penalties for violating the restrictions has been drafted.
When instituted in Nelson, the stages take force within 24 hours of the public declaration.
The amended bylaws will be posted to the city’s website when adopted. Final adoption is slated for the July 4 regular council meeting.
As well, the city’s water ambassador and communications coordinator will provide education to the public through development of promotional material that will be distributed through the city website and social media.
