Low water condition remains despite recent rain

Despite the rainfall this past weekend, the Quinte Region remains in a Level 2 Low Water Condition.
“The recent rainfall kept us from having to declare a Level 3 Low Water Condition, but we’re still well into a Level 2 and getting close to flows that would mean a Level 3,” said Bryon Keene, Quinte Conservation Water Resources Engineer.

“The Low Water Response Team met last week and Quinte Conservation staff will continue to monitor rainfall and flows in local waterways to see if further measures are needed during this dry season,” he added.

A Level 2 Low Water Condition indicates a potentially serious water supply problem often meaning minor water supply issues are encountered and there is the potential for major supply problems.
A Level 2 condition is managed through Conservation Authorities, municipalities and other key provincial agencies and involves the voluntary reduction of water usage.  Low water conditions are ranked as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on a prolonged period of low flows or precipitation.  A Level 1 is the least severe and Level 3 is the most severe and this level can include imposed water usage restrictions.

“We continue to ask all residents and businesses to reduce water usage by 20 per cent until the water supply is replenished,” says Keene. “This means all non-essential water uses should be suspended until further notice for those on both private wells and municipal water systems.  This includes lawn and flower watering and the washing of cars.”

The environmental organization is encouraging any individuals or businesses in the Quinte watersheds who experience problems or hardships, such as wells going dry, to contact Quinte Conservation by calling 613-968-3434 or 613-354-3312 and dialling extension 130.  Reports can be emailed to quinteca@quinteconservation.ca.  These reports will help the organization track the impacts of the low water condition.

Quinte Conservation issued the first low water warning this year in April.  The community-based environmental protection agency serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County.