For a few days after the recent fire, the district asked all residents to restrict water usage immediately, including indoor uses such as washing machines, dishwashers, and non-essential activities. “Our water reservoirs are extremely low due to ongoing fire suppression efforts, and conservation is critical at this time,” says a recent post from the district.
While those restrictions have abated, there has been no rain, and the people is still asking that people water wisely. “Thank you to everyone who limited water use during the recent apartment fire. Fire suppression efforts require an extremely large volume of water, and your cooperation helped ensure the response could proceed safely and effectively.
“While those efforts have now subsided, Tumbler Ridge continues to experience very dry conditions. To help conserve water and ensure there is enough for essential needs, lawn watering restrictions remain in place.
The district is asking residents to respect do the following: water grass early or later in the day only and water only 15 minute per watering day.
In order to lower water usage, they also asked that even numbered homes water on even numbered days (June 16, 18, 20, etc), while odd numbered homes should water on odd days.
“We’ve saw the heat wave coming, says Mayor Darryl Krakowka. “We’re dry, as is the whole Peace Region. But because of the amount of water the fire department had to use on the 216 Spieker fire, we did see a drop at the reservoir. We were getting to a risk level that is probably not good.”
While the reservoir did not hit emergency levels, they got very low. The town had to activate at least one, possibly two of the back-up well sites to help fill the reservoir.
While the water levels have now bounced back from where they were, he says people still need to be mindful about their water use.
He says he has had people call him to tell him about their neighbours who are watering the lawn, but, he says, that’s not his business. People should contact the bylaw department, at 250-242-3939 if they really want to report.
Still, he says, there is no official water restriction mandate in place, though that is definitely a step the district could take if people don’t take this seriously. “If all of a sudden the water gets too low, we stop being operational,” he says.
And if the water level keeps dropping? In addition to putting water restrictions into effect, he says there has been discussions about getting more people out enforcing the water restrictions. But that, he says, is a last step. “We do not want to go into battle with residents,” he says. “I mean, we understand that not everybody’s seen the message. So we’re hoping those that have can start reducing the amount of water they’re using.”
The district has stopped watering out at the golf course in the hopes of reducing water usage. While the drought map shows the Tumbler Ridge area at only a level two, the Murray River is at record lows right now, and the next watershed over is at level four drought, so expect it to get worse before it gets better.
Above photo: Nearly 24 hours after the fire broke out, crews were still putting out hot spots, both at the apartment and in the nearby forest.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
