Despite the hot temperatures, Squamish residents have guzzled less water so far this summer than last year, according to municipal officials.
On Thursday, July 3, the District of Squamish moved its water restrictions up a notch to Stage 2. The rating restricts the watering of lawns with sprinklers to once per week, but continues to allow general watering and car washing with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. It divides the community into seven areas and provides each with a day that lawn sprinkling is allowed.
The Stage 2 restrictions have been implemented three weeks later than in 2013, despite less rainfall this year. District staff have seen a very clear mindfulness among citizens regarding outdoor water use that’s resulted in an increased adherence to the municipality’s water usage schedule, Mayor Rob Kirkham stated in a press release.
“This is very encouraging news as we work toward managing our water consumption across the summer months, ultimately delaying the need to invest in costly infrastructure upgrades,” he said.
Squamish nearly doubles its water consumption during the summer months, which taxes the water system heavily, warned the district’s director of operations Bob Smith. Historically Squamish residents use close to double the amount of water than the average Canadian, a cool 688 litres per day. That places local citizens among the top water users in the world. Communities with the highest daily use in the United States, the country that leads the planet’s water consumption according to the Conference Board of Canada, is approximately 575 litres.
“We must remain within a comfortable limit to minimize the need for surface water to enter the system, or be prepared to invest heavily in water capacity upgrades,” Smith said.
Watering schedule
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
Even numbered addresses: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Odd numbered addresses: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
