Level 3 drought rating for Lower Fraser River region, including Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – People living and working in the Lower Fraser River region, including Metro Vancouver, are being urged to cut back their water usage by 30 per cent.

A level three drought rating is in effect for the region, as well as for people on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. In July and August, the south coast of BC saw a few millimetres to just a trace of rainfall. If it hadn’t been for the huge snowpack from last winter, this could have been enacted sooner.

With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, the Province is encouraging voluntary water conservation.

Staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development are monitoring stream levels and ecosystems and may upgrade the drought level. As conditions deteriorate, provincial water managers may exercise their authority to temporarily suspend authorized water use in affected watersheds and aquifers.

• Water conservation tips from the Province:
• Limit outdoor watering.
• Don’t water during the heat of the day or when it’s windy.
• Take shorter showers.
• Don’t leave the tap running.
• Install water-efficient showerheads and toilets.
• Implement an irrigation scheduling program using real-time weather data.
• Schedule irrigation to match crop needs and soil storage capacity.
• Improve water system efficiencies and check for leaks.
• Focus on high value crops and livestock.
• Reduce non-essential water usage.
• Recycle water used in industrial operations.
• Use water-efficient methods and equipment.

 

Metro Vancouver is currently under Stage 1 water restrictions, which mostly affect lawn-watering.

And we are in for a scorcher this Labour Day long weekend, with temperatures expected to head into the 30s.