Water ban could be over by weekend, city staff say

Residents can still hand-water flower and vegetable gardens

Hamilton’s mandatory ban on all non-essential outdoor water use could be lifted this weekend ahead of the July 13 deadline.

The city’s director of water, Andrew Grice, said the contractor working on the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant and staff are “doing everything we can” to acquire the necessary water capacity for residents and emergency services before the ban is lifted on July 13 after nine days without proper water services.

“If we can, we will be removing the ban as quickly as possible,” said Grice during the July 8 public works committee meeting.

“Things are going quite well right now. It’s too early to make that decision. We are hoping we can lift it before the weekend. Time will tell.”

As residents experience a severe heat wave with temperatures soaring well into the 30 C range during the daytime, the city issued a mandatory ban in Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown and parts of Flamborough and Glanbrook on July 4 on non-essential outdoor water use on lawns, using sprinklers, filling large pools and washing cars. Originally, officials issued a voluntary ban.

Residents can still hand-water their flower and vegetable gardens as needed.

“The water ban has been topof-mind for a lot of residents,” said Mountain councillor John Paul Danko.

The water restrictions came as problems developed during construction at the Woodward Water Treatment Plant, which is temporarily limiting the facility’s capacity for treating water.

Grice said the $340-million upgrade program at the facility consisting of three separate construction projects involving the tertiary plant, the main pumping station and electrical upgrades, “experienced some delays in construction that was something unforeseen.”

At the same time, because of the severe heat that normally occurs at the end of July and early August, the facility saw peak water usage that was unexpected for this time of year, said Grice.

“Those two things really put us at risk of not being able to fill our reservoir and our towers overnight,” said Grice.

Without that ability, there would have been a lack of water pressure for residents and emergency personnel such as fire protection.

He said repairs were made by the contractor and work is being “ramped up.”

“It will take some time to handle the capacity in our system,” he said.

The city has been receiving complaints about residents still using water for washing their vehicles, but there have also been criticism of the city itself for still using water on its properties.

Craig Murdoch, director of environmental services, says the city has reduced watering its traffic islands from every night to every other night.

“So you may see them get water at times,” said Murdoch. “That’s because we will lose the islands, (they will turn) brown and the flowers won’t recover if we let them die,” he said.

The city has also curtailed watering on sports fields and the three golf courses it owns. Due to the heat, municipal spray pads have continued operating.