Province urges residents to conserve water
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is encouraging B.C. residents to save as much water as possible in anticipation of elevated drought conditions in coming weeks.
This includes watering lawns less often, turning off the tap while washing dishes, and fixing leaky faucets, a statement from the Ministry says.
According to a B.C. government webpage on drought response, authorities can issue temporary protection orders which legally require people and businesses to reduce or stop water use. The orders are put in place to protect at-risk fish and watersheds.
“Temporary protection orders may be issued as a last resort if voluntary efforts are not enough to restore water flows,” the Ministry’s statement reads. “Decisions about whether to issue water-use restrictions are based on supporting science, and a careful analysis of local economic factors.”
The Upper Fraser East region, which spans roughly from Valemount to Prince George, is currently at a drought level two out of five, according to the Ministry’s drought information portal. This means conditions are drier than usual: a level of zero is normal, while a level of five is the most severe, according to the online portal.
Agriculture and industrial use make up the majority of water use in the Upper Fraser East and surrounding areas, the portal says. In an email to The Goat, the Ministry said farmers and food producers should make sure their irrigation systems are as efficient as possible and regularly inspect them to repair any leaks.
The Village of McBride does not currently have water use restrictions in place.
McBride CAO Jeanette McDougall told The Goat Village staff are monitoring water levels on a daily basis, but due to the amount of precipitation the area has received in recent months, there are no concerns around water conservation at this time.
“We remain cognizant that, as we head into warmer weather, notices [regarding] water conservation may have to be issued,” McDougall said.
The Village of Valemount currently has level one water restrictions in place, which are put into effect each spring through Village bylaw. Valemount CAO Anne Yanciw says the Village is not anticipating enacting any further water use restrictions at this time.
