With water levels in the South Peace Basin hitting a level four on the drought level classification system, the District of Tumbler Ridge has gone to an even/odd number system for lawn watering.
For residential properties with odd-numbered addresses, watering is permitted only on odd-numbered days.
For residential properties with even-numbered addresses, watering is permitted only on even-numbered days.
Residents are asked to limit their watering to 15 minutes in the early morning or late evening, as watering lawns during daylight hours has minimal impact on grass health.
BC uses a six-level drought classification to explain the severity and appropriate level of response to drought conditions.
While level four might seem like it’s in the middle of that, the scale is from zero to five, meaning the South Peace is nearly at the worst level of drought it can be at.
And, while there have been recent rains, it is not enough to reverse the effects from a low snow pack and an early season heat wave that saw temperatures hitting the high 20s in April.
Director of Operations and Infrastructure Jason Bradley says that Tumbler Ridge might be fine now, but could possibly run into issues later on if nothing was to be done. He says the District isn’t currently fining for improper water use, but he doesn’t rule that out, though that is something bylaw enforcement would have to deal with. “We are doing this proactively now so we don’t run into issues later. We will do whatever is necessary.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
