City of Lethbridge imposes 10 per cent reduction in water usage
The City of Lethbridge is taking proactive steps in an effort to decrease overall water use by 20 per cent by 2030.
"We’ve asked the public and residents to do their part and voluntarily conserve water at this time, and we felt it was important that the city be seen in doing our part," said Mark Svenson, engineering and environment manager with the city.
"So, what we've done is impose a 10 per cent reduction in our water usage."
Some of the changes coming to city departments include:
- The adjusting of street sweeping practices to reduce water use, where possible;
- The flushing of hydrants only as needed for Health and Safety/operational requirements;
- The reduction of water usage when washing bridges, signs and concrete medians; and,
- The turning off of decorative fountains while voluntary measures and water restrictions are in place. (Public drinking water stations will remain available).
Svenson adds that the parks department will also be reducing the amount of irrigation and maintenance done to green spaces.
"While we got some much needed rain, it doesn't fix the potential issue of a drought this year," he said.
The steps are being taken to encourage residents to do their part to conserve water.
"We can all expect to see some slightly dustier vehicles, perhaps, as the summer rolls along," said Kathleen Sheppard, executive director of Environment Lethbridge.
"One of the obvious ones is around washing vehicles, and that's something that many people can cut back on."
According to the city, the Oldman River Reservoir is sitting above 40 per cent, while the St. Mary’s Reservoir is around 50 per cent.
Sheppard says the changes the city has brought forward will make a change in the amount of water being used, even if it’s only 10 per cent.
There are currently no water restrictions in place for residents or businesses.
Sheppard says monitoring how much water you use, especially outside, will make a difference this summer.
"Just be really conscious and really understanding that your lawn and garden doesn't need as much water as you think it does, and then doing the really easy things like not watering in the heat of the day, only watering once a week at most," Sheppard said.
City departments will track water conservation and reduction efforts during the coming months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There could have been an explosion,' 8 people, including 4 children injured in St. Constant, Que.
Eight people, including four children, have second- or third-degree burns as a result of an incident at a home in Saint-Constant, Que. south of Montreal, the Coopérative des techniciens ambulanciers de la Montérégie (CETAM) reported on Saturday.
Ontario gave parents more than $1B in cash over 2 years. Here's where the money went
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
Ryan Reynolds has declared 'War of the Popcorn Buckets.' He's honestly onto something
Ryan Reynolds this week unveiled arguably the most anticipated and sure-to-be coveted merchandise tied to his upcoming 'Deadpool' sequel: the movie’s novelty popcorn bucket.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Parachutists jumping from Second World War-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'