We are all being asked to lower our water consumption by 20 per cent.
With the ongoing heat wave, a Level 2 Low Water Condition has been declared by the Otonabee Region Water Response Team.
Officials say rainfall receipts for the preceding 1-month and 3-month periods ending June 30th are below 60 per cent of the normal total in the Otonabee,
Indian, and Ouse River watersheds.
The declaration is not just for private users but also municipalities, aggregate operations, golf courses, water bottlers and farm irrigation.
Otonabee Conservation offers the following water conservation tips:
-Turn off ornamental fountains and artificial waterfalls
-Run full loads of dishes and laundry during off-peak use times (between 7pm and 7am) and use shorter washing cycles
-Water gardens wisely, add mulch or use stored rainwater from a rain barrel
-Lawns that have turned brown from the drought are not “dead”; the grass has just gone dormant from lack of water. When rainfall returns, the grass will come out of dormancy and perk back up
-Adhere to municipal watering restrictions that may apply
-Do not use water to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, or decks; use a broom to sweep up
-Do not wash your vehicles in the driveway; delay washing your vehicles as long as possible, and visit a carwash facility when you do need to wash vehicles
-Cover swimming pools when not in use to reduce evaporation
-Install an efficient faucet or aerator to reduce water demands for handwashing, rinsing fruits
and vegetables, or washing dishes
-Take shorter and less frequent showers to conserve water
-Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face.
-Rinse fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap. You can then use the water for houseplants or in your garden
-Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge rather than running tap water until cold enough to drink.
