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'Critical shortage' sends Eagle Cliff into stage four water restrictions

Municipal water users in Eagle Cliff are now under stage four water restrictions.
water

Municipal water users in Eagle Cliff are now under stage four water restrictions.

A press release from the municipality Tuesday morning said that the reservoir is the lowest it has been in recent years and the level is dropping an average of one inch per day.

The system supplies approximately 100 homes from a groundwater pump and open-surface reservoir. The groundwater pumps supplying the reservoir are working full time and can’t pump any more water. The upstream creek that usually flows into the reservoir is dry said the release.

Stage four water restrictions means no watering lawns or gardens, washing cars or boats, or filing pools or hot tubs.

“There is only enough water to supply conservative household use. Water users must not use water for non-potable use,” said the release.

The neighbourhood was put on stage three water restrictions Friday at which point a BIM press release identified leaks, overconsumption on some properties and seasonal rainfall shortage as reasons for the shortage. It said at that time that BIM was contacting high water users and searching for any possible watermain leaks (as was the problem in Bluewater earlier this summer).

“Signs will be posted in the neighbourhood and notices will be delivered door to door to advise residents of this urgent situation,” said Monday’s press release.

BIM is encouraging anyone not already signed up to subscribe to news alerts about their neighbourhoods.

Water conservation suggestions from BIM:

  • Shortening your shower by two minutes can save 40 litres of water.
  • Turning off taps when brushing your teeth can save 10 litres of water.
  • Cutting down on flushing your toilet. Every time you flush you use up to 14 liters of water.
  • Mulching around trees and shrubs to retain water in the soil.
  • Adding compost to the soil in your garden to maintain soil moisture.
  • Keeping a jug or pitcher of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap until it gets cold.