Water Restrictions Q & A
Here are some of the common questions the public has been asking along with the City’s answers:
Q: Why is a water ban in effect?
A: Between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm on Monday evening, several pump stations were operating at maximum capacity due mainly to irrigation activity. The low water reservoir situation diminished the City’s capacity to deliver water for firefighting. During the same period last night, water usage remained very high. The ban is an effort to increase the water levels in the reservoirs in order to avoid a critical shortage.
Q: What does the water ban involve?
A: Essentially, it means residents are being asked not to turn on a hose or irrigation system and then leave it unattended. However, you can water your lawn and flowers with your hose and nozzle as long as you are holding it. You can also water your lawn and garden using a watering can.
Q: How long will the ban last?
A: According to the City’s Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw, the City can implement a ban as long as it has “reason to believe that a water supply shortage exists or is imminent or the public interest may require it.” The City will monitor the levels of water consumption and then evaluate and decide upon an appropriate time to end the ban.
Q: Why is the water park at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park turned off?
A: The City of Prince George is banning the flow of all unattended hoses, including those on civic property, including the water park and the water fountain at the Prince George Civic Centre.
Q: Why do I see some large businesses continuing to irrigate?
A: Many large businesses whose operations depend on a steady supply of water have their own dedicated well, which will not affect the City’s reservoirs.
Q: Do the City’s usual rules regarding “watering days” for even and odd numbered houses still apply?
A: No, the only rule now is that residents should avoid turning a hose on and leaving it unattended as is commonly done with sprinklers and irrigation systems. The rules around “watering days” will be reinstated once the ban is lifted.
Q: What should I do if I see a neighbour who is using an unattended sprinkler, hose, or irrigation system during the ban?
A: If you know your neighbour and are on good terms, you could approach them and inform him or her that there is a ban in place, but they can still hand water their lawn and garden. If you do not know your neighbour well or are not comfortable approaching them, please contact the City of Prince George’s Service Centre at 250-561-7600 email servicecentre@princegeorge.ca.
Q: What if I feel I have a special circumstance for my lawn such as recently purchased sod, which requires some sprinkling?
A: If you feel you have special watering needs for your lawn and garden please call 250-561-7600.
Comments
I’m curious. When was the last reservoir built? How many are there for a pop of 70,000? Why aren’t there more?
Has the city been keeping up with growth? If not, why not?
Grizzly2. The City population has not grown in the past 15/20 years.
I believe the last reservoir was built on Tyner Blvd a few years ago.
Not sure how many there are, however I am sure there are more than four.
The problem seems to be pumping the water into the reservoir’s and keeping them full rather than storage capacity. Perhaps we need more pumps.
Keep in mind that all this water has to be treated before going to the reservoirs, because it is public drinking water. So treating the water slows down getting it into the reservoirs.
“Q: What should I do if I see a neighbour who is using an unattended sprinkler, hose, or irrigation system during the ban?”
A: Immediately log onto the 250news site and bellyache about it to the rest of that on-line community!
Thank You City officials and 250 News, for this information. Good Job :)
Would it kill the paid city bylaw employees to drive around the city, and look at how many people are not obeying this water restriction? If it’s a fineable offense, grow a pair and start fining people. It was sprinkler city all day today, as if nobody has heard of this rule implementation.
Comments for this article are closed.