The District of Squamish are allowing residents to open up their taps just a little bit more.
On Tuesday (Aug. 20), the municipality peeled back its Stage 3 water restriction to Stage 2, allowing people to water their lawns once a week. The change follows a significant drop in water use across the community resulting from cooler weather, district spokesperson Christina Moore wrote in a statement.
Between Aug. 11 and 17, water consumption dropped to an average daily use of 12,259,000 litres. Just a week before it sat at 16,231,000 litres.
Managing infrastructure effectively in relation to growth is a key focus of the District of Squamish, Mayor Rob Kirkham stated. Planning is underway, but conservation helps delay significant upgrade costs, he noted.
The major reduction in water use over the past two weeks is proof that everyone's efforts have made a big difference; thank you to the community for your participation in this important effort, he stated.
Squamish nearly doubles its water consumption during the summer months as a result of lawn watering, car washing and irrigation. That pushes the water system near its capacity, Moore stated.
Stage 2 divides the community into seven areas, and provides each with one day upon which to water lawns: Monday, Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill; Tuesday: Downtown; Wednesday: Dentville, Business Park, North Yards; Thursday:Loggers Lane, Quest University; Friday:Garibaldi Highlands; Saturday:Garibaldi Estates; Sunday: Brackendale.
On those days, those with even-numbered street addresses may water from 4 to 9 a.m. Those with odd-numbered addresses may water from 7 to 10 p.m.
