Town’s water supply still good

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Town CAO Jeff Gushue shared data on the current situation with the reservoir. At its normal level, the lake contains 11.5 square kilometres of water. Each centimetre of depth contains roughly 25.1 million gallons of water.

One month ago a staff member conducted a sounding over an intake for the water plant. At that time there was nine feet of water. On Sept. 13 there was seven feet, two inches (a 22-inch reduction in water level). The loss translates to a 1.5-billiongallon decrease.

During that time, based on an average draw from the lake at the water treatment plant of 1.4 million gallons each day over 30 days, roughly 45 million gallons would be used.

From the 1.5 billion gallons of water lost, the Town of Yarmouth used roughly three per to social media after- cent. That translates to less than an inch on the 22-inch drop.

Most of the water disappeared through evaporation and the outflow over the dam, (which has now been restricted to a minimum) Gushue said.

If all the consumers in the town reduced their consumption by 20 per cent for the entire month, the difference it would make would be only two mm.

The town does sell water tokens at Yarmouth Town Hall for $1.25 that can be redeemed at the Lake George water tower for 250 gallons per token. The tower works as a vending machine, of sorts.

The town said last week it did not have sufficient tokens to keep up with the demand but more have been ordered. Sales were being limited to two tokens per customer at present. People are cautioned that there is insufficient parking at the tower and also safety concerns due of the high level of traffic in the area.

Water is available for free at the Mariners Centre Zamboni station.

The Department of Environment does not recommend filling wells from fire trucks as there is danger of contamination. Also, because of the extremely low water table, any water added to a shallow well is sucked up by the surrounding ground.

Town residents are being encouraged to share their water and to conserve water by not irrigating lawns and performing non- essential jobs needing water.

“It’s times like these that we look after each other,” said Mayor Pam Mood.