Suspend all non-essential water uses

All Quinte area watersheds, including the Moira, Salmon and Napanee rivers and all of Prince Edward County are now in a Level 2 Low Water Condition.

“We are asking all residents and business to reduce water usage by 20 per cent until the water supply is replenished,” said Bryon Keene, Quinte Conservation Water Resources Engineer. “This means all non-essential water uses should be suspended until further notice for those on both private wells and municipal water systems.  Those who rely on wells for their water could see a sharp decline in their water supply.”

“Rainfall is well below normal for this time of year and all of our river systems are also well below normal summer flows,” Keen said. “Residents are reminded that the groundwater table is also affected by the lack of rain,”

A Level 2 indicates a potentially serious water supply problem and often means minor water supply issues and potential for major supply problems. 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.

Any individuals or businesses in the Quinte watersheds who experience unusual problems or hardships because of the low water conditions should contact Quinte Conservation by calling 613-968-3434 or 613-354-3312 and dialling extension 130.  Reports can also 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.

Reduce water use by at least 10 per cent

JULY 24 – Dark clouds and bright lightning filled the sky Tuesday but all hopes of rain and threats of thunderstorms amounted to a few drops of precipitation. Continued hot and dry conditions create an extreme fire risk and bans on fires continue in the County and in much of southern Ontario. Dare we say, rain is forecast for Thursday.

The Level 1 Low Water Condition declared in Prince Edward County last week is now in effect for the entire Quinte region.  “Rainfall is well below normal for this time of year and most river systems are also below normal summer flows,” said

Quinte Conservation Water Resources Engineer Bryon Keene. “All the Quinte watersheds, including the Moira, Salmon and Napanee Rivers and all of Prince Edward County are in a Level 1 Low Water Condition.”

Residents are reminded that the groundwater table is also affected by the lack of rain.
“We are asking all water users, including those on municipal water systems, to reduce their water usage by 10 per cent.”

Quinte Conservation says using fresh water faster than it can naturally be replenished can lead to long-term water shortages.
The average Canadian household uses more than 500,000 litres of water per year with at least 50 per cent being unnecessary and wasteful. The average person in Ontario uses 285 litres of water a day. In the summer months, 50 per cent of household water is used in the lawn and garden.

Keene said the Bay of Quinte is also experiencing lower than normal water levels – right now it is about 30 centimetres lower than normal.

“Recreational boaters on the bay should be cautious around shoals and use their navigational maps.  The dry period is developing rapidly and unless an appreciable amount of rain is received soon we expect conditions to worsen.”

A Level I Low Water Condition is managed through existing programs of the Conservation Authorities, municipalities and other key provincial agencies.  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.

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July 17 – The potential for water supply problems has been identified says Quinte Conservation Water Resources Engineer Bryon Keene, as Prince Edward County is now in a ‘Level 1 low water condition’.
Stream flow in the County for the last month has been less than 70 per cent of the lowest summer average.

“With the current dry summer conditions, it’s time to start conserving water,” says Keene. “We are asking residents and businesses of the region to reduce water usage by 10 per cent until the supply is replenished. This includes the outside watering of plants and lawns, and washing driveways and sidewalks.”

“Conditions in the Moira River and Napanee Region Watersheds are also dry,” says Keene. “All of the river systems are at less than 30 per cent of normal for this time of year.  Over the past three weeks there has been less than 10 millimetres of rain over most of the watershed, while Camden East has had about 20 millimetres.”

Quinte Conservation will continue to monitor precipitation and stream flows throughout the summer and provide updates.

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.