Summer vacation is coming to an end and cooler temperatures are ahead, but water consumption remains top of mind in the region.
The Region of Waterloo is reminding resident’s that the water conservation bylaw is still in effect until Sept. 30.
“We've had some really dry stretches this year, particularly in June and July,” Dan Meagher, supervisor of water programs for the Region of Waterloo said. “The bylaw is really to protect peak water demands. If we have a really hot stretch it can put our reservoirs in jeopardy.”
There are a number of reservoirs throughout the water system that store water after it’s been treated. It can then be distributed to the community as needed. Maintaining healthy levels ensures that critical needs are met, such as enough drinking water and for fire services.
Meagher says there are consequences to not following the by-law.
“We do have staff out to monitor usage and there is a ticketing process,” he said. “We try not to be heavy-handed. The first step is educating people but if we see concerning trends there can be tickets issued.”
For those concerned about their yellow or brown lawn, there’s no need to worry says Meagher.
“Lawns are resilient and they often go dormant for periods of time,” he said. “Just because grass goes brown or yellow doesn’t mean it’s dead. In fact, over-watering your lawn can cause the roots to become shallow making the grass less resilient.”
Overall the region has been happy with the commitment shown by the community to water conservation.
“From a statistics standpoint, we track the number of offences and we’re seeing a lot of compliance,” Meagher said. “We want to say thank you to everyone who has helped maintain our water levels during what’s been a dry summer.”
To review your assigned water consumption days visit regionofwaterloo.ca.
