07/18/2024
💦We've modernized our water bylaws to provide enhanced protection for our water system, and ensure we can effectively provide good quality drinking water to meet the growing needs of our community well into the future.🫗
📃Last night, Council adopted the new Waterworks and Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaws.
❗That means we are now in Stage 1 restrictions, and based on reduced water levels at the Fairy Creek Reservoir, Stage 2 Outdoor Water Use Regulations will come into effect on Friday, July 19th at 9:00 am.
🤔 Why? We're historically big water consumers, and our green lawns are one of the biggest reasons. Our summers are also getting hotter and drier, we're seeing reduced snow pack, and extended periods of drought are becoming more common. These bylaws aim to support water conservation and regulate use during hot, dry periods (hello 👋this week🥵 ) and when demand starts to exceed capacity.
🚿Here's the quick and dirty on the new bylaws:
💧Staged water restrictions - these move from stage 1-4 and limit outdoor water use to certain days and times and become stricter as conditions become more serious.
💦These start with Stage 1 (automatically in effect from March 1 - October 15 each year) and escalate depending on reservoir levels, flows in creeks that feed the source, demand exceeding capacity, and Provincial area drought declarations.
🫗Provisions against wasting water will allow the City to address runoff, leaks, non-recirculating devices, and irrigation of impermeable surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks.
🥕Exemptions are in place for food-producing gardens.
🌱permits are available in stages 1 and 2 for daily watering of *new* turf, grass seed, shrubs, and trees.
💰tiered fines that increase as stages become more severe, or for repeat offenses.
🫗We all play a role in water conservation. Learn more about these important new bylaws and the Outdoor Water Use Stages here: https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/residents/city-services/water-sewer/water-conservation.html
