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Cranbrook, BC (July 20, 2021) - With the continued lack of rainfall and the ongoing hot summer days, the City of Cranbrook is asking water users to be aware of and follow the current outdoor watering practices.

Even numbered properties may water on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Odd numbered properties may water on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, with no watering on Wednesdays. Outdoor water use is only allowed from 4am to 11am and 7pm to 11pm on your watering day.

Resources with Public Works will be increasing their visibility for the rest of the summer months to encourage residents to only water during these days and times and help provide water users with additional water conservation information.

The onus on wise water use is not solely resting on the residential and business water users.  The City is also going to be reducing its outdoor water use as well.

“With the long-range weather forecast telling us to expect more of the same temperatures for the foreseeable future, Public Works will be looking at ways to reduce the quantity of water being used for irrigation of City owned greenspaces, playgrounds, parks and playfields,” says Jason Perrault, Public Works Manager for the City of Cranbrook. “Our initial target will be to reduce our irrigation schedules by 5 to 10 percent. This conservation effort may result is greenspaces and playfields appearing more dry and less green than in previous years.  The City asks for patience during the summer as we all move forward in these conditions.”

The water level at the Phillips Reservoir continues to be monitored daily by waterworks staff with Public Works.  As of July 12, 2021, the reservoir is trending downwards, due to higher consumption rates.  This trend is not sustainable in the long run as the current hot dry conditions are forecasted through much of the summer.  Both Joseph Creek and Gold Creek supply water to the Phillips Reservoir and are regularly monitored upstream of the reservoir. We are currently sitting at a Level 2 drought conditions in our area.  As this hot weather continues, the City will monitor water levels and determine if and when we may need to decrease the number of water days and hours allowed.

“There is a real possibility that we may need to move to phase 2 of our outdoor watering restrictions, before the Phillips Reservoir dips below 75 percent capacity, and is not being properly replenished in order to maintain that level,” says Perrault.

To learn more about water conservation, our City water system, water quality and more, visit https://cranbrook.ca/residents/water-conservation/.