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(Above is Phillips Reservoir at full pool. Image taken April 21, 2023. City of Cranbrook photo.)

Cranbrook, BC (October 6, 2023) – Every resident and business across the City of Cranbrook is being encouraged to not only reduce their outdoor water use, but also conserve as much water indoors to allow the Phillips Reservoir an opportunity to restock and replenish.

The City commends those residents and businesses that have faithfully followed the Stage 3 watering restrictions in place since late August 2023, and have done their part to significantly reduce their water use. The City has found that water use in the community has declined since the implementation of Stage 3 restrictions.

But, even with the cooler temperatures and some rainfall over the past week, water levels at the Phillips Reservoir are not improving. Without this replenishment of the reservoir, the City’s water supply will be lagging behind seasonal normal, and less water will be available come Spring 2024.

Since June 1, 2023, the Phillips Reservoir has dropped an unprecedented 73 inches (6 feet). In September 2023, daily water use was averaging approximately 2.54-million imperial gallons (IG), which amounts to 24.4-million pints, or 50.8-million cups. Without significant rainfall and an above average snowpack this upcoming winter, the Phillips Reservoir will not replenish to its normal operating level.

(Right: Phillips Reservoir with depleted level, down nearly 6 feet from full pool. Image taken September 21, 2023. City of Cranbrook photo.)

“The provincial average for daily water use is just over 300L/person/day, while Cranbrook’s average daily water use is over 600L/person/ day,” says Jason Perrault, Acting Deputy Director of Public Works. “This volume of water usage is not sustainable long-term, especially through severe drought conditions. We must all adjust our water use as much as possible.”

"With our water supply at a critical low, it's imperative that we all play our part in safeguarding the well-being of our community," says Acting Mayor Ron Popoff.

The call for water conservation by the entire community is essential. Please think about the use of water inside your home or business. Limiting the length of showers, only running full loads of laundry and dishes, only flushing toilets when completely necessary are all simple ways to help conserve water indoors. You can find more water conservation tips on our website: https://cranbrook.ca/residents/water-conservation/ten-tips-to-save-water-indoors/.

The time for conservation and reducing your daily water use was yesterday. The importance of conserving water and reducing your daily water use moving forward is critical to maintaining the City’s water supply for all residents and businesses.