It was encouraging to learn last week that Squamish residents’ use of water was lower so far this summer as compared to previous years (Squamish’s water consumption down, Squamish Chief, July 3).
In fact, we’ve been so much better than last year that – despite less rainfall – municipal officials instituted Stage 2 water restrictions a full three weeks later than in 2013. Stage 2 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.
But let’s not be so quick to pat ourselves on the back. The same story also revealed that historically Squamish residents use close to 688 litres per day, which is actually double the amount of water the average Canadian uses. If that statistic is accurate, it places locals among the top water users in the world. According to the story, “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.”
You’ll probably agree that those are pretty shocking figures, especially when you consider how dedicated many in the community are to the environment.
Locals scrutinize every proposed development coming into the area and are usually quite vocal if there is going to be even the slightest impact on nature. Even before much was known about the proposed LNG plant many Squamish residents were already up in arms about the potential impacts from the facility, and opposition to the project is still palpable today.
But, despite all our reverence of nature and the environment, here we are as one of the top users of water in the world, apparently.
This has to change.
So, this summer, instead of filling up that kiddie pool on a hot day, maybe head to Alice Lake or Brennan Park’s awesome pool for a refreshing dip. Think about how long you shower or how often you really need to wash your fine automobile or monster truck with the absurdly big wheels. Are you following the water restrictions, or do you give your lawn an extra drink when nobody is looking? Is a greener lawn worth the price of being labeled a water-wasting town?
Think about your water use, and try to reduce it this year, so Squamish will continue to be known as the Recreation Capital of Canada, and not the biggest consumers of life-giving water in the world.
– Steven Hill
