Water levels in Chapman Lake and Creek, the Sunshine Coast's major drinking water source, have started to drop as the last of the snow pack in the mountains has almost melted.
This is the time of year that the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) typically starts tapping into lake storage by gradually opening the control dam on Chapman Lake, which releases flows to the creek.
"From this point on, water storage will continue to decline. We're relying solely on rainfall and wise water use to get us through the rest of the summer," said Dave Crosby, utility services manager for the SCRD. "And since we never know what Mother Nature will throw our way, conserving water is paramount."
The unprecedented drought of 2012 extended into October and resulted in stage four water restrictions, banning all outdoor water use. The SCRD had only ever gone to stage two water restrictions once before in 2010, and that was due to water treatment plant capacity issues, not water storage.
"Based on last year's drought and our collective experience operating the water system over the years, we know the lake levels can drop rapidly past a certain point, and we are prepared to move to stage two water restrictions before that point," adds Crosby.
Stage two would include reduced sprinkling times, to designated evenings only. But the SCRD encourages property owners to let lawns go golden, and save limited water supplies for drinking and other essential services.
Visit www.scrd.ca/Sprinkling-Regulations for details on current watering restrictions, or contact 604-885-6806.
- Submitted
