Voluntary 10% water use reduction order lifted by Otonabee Conservation
A Level 1 low water condition first issued on Aug. 2 by the Otonabee Region Water Response Team has been lifted following above normal rainfall in recent weeks, Otonabee Conservation announced Tuesday.
Residents and businesses in the Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes watershed had been urged to voluntarily curb their water use by 10 per cent when the declaration was made.
Water levels and flows in local rivers, streams and creeks are starting to rebound, according to Dan Marinigh, chief administrative officer for Otonabee Conservation and a member of the team.
After below normal rainfall from May to July, precipitation in the area in October was 86.7 millimetres, above the normal of 76.9, according to Otonabee Conservation.
In the first 11 days of November, between 41 and 50 mm of rainfall was recorded at Environment Canada meteorological stations in Peterborough, with normal rainfall for the month of November 86 mm, according to Otonabee Conservation.
Stream flows in both Jackson Creek and the Ouse River have improved above the Level 1 drought thresholds in response to October’s rainfall and continue to show further improvement in response to November’s rainfall, Otonabee Conservation reports.
While the Level 1 low water condition has been lifted, water conservation, as part of a daily routine, is a good practice, Marinigh stated.
Homeowners can conserve water and help lower overall household costs using the following water conservation actions suggested by Otonabee Conservation:
• Winterize outdoor spigots (water pipes) to ensure that they don’t burst.
• Insulate hot water pipes in unheated areas.
• Repair leaks in the bathroom or kitchen promptly.
• Use an aerator and/or water flow reducer in your sink faucet.
• Install water-efficient appliances.
Otonabee Conservation will continue to monitor watershed conditions.