The hot and dry summer continues in Hamilton/Flamborough area and it's starting to show. Driving through the local neighbourhoods, one can see browning laws crying out for a drop of water. As we continue to sweat through one of the driest summers in recent history, the Hamilton Conservation Authority has declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition. Low Water criteria are set out by the provincial government in it's Low Water Response Plan. Low water condition levels range from Level I to Level III increasing in severity of water supply shortages and water use restrictions.
On August 1 HCA reported that Hamilton area received just 100.4 millimeters of rain from May to July, only 40 per cent of what is normally received in that time period. The three-month average precipitation across the watershed at stations at Stoney Creek, Christie Dam and Westover are reporting averages below the Level I threshold of 80 per cent. Streamflows are also low. Stations at Westover, Highway 5 and Ancaster have average monthly flows below the Level I threshold of 70 per cent, with the flow at Dundas on Spencer Creek expected to fall below the 70 per cent threshold shortly.
Between 80 and 90 millimeters of rain will have to fall in August to bring the water levels back to normal. At this point HCA is asking the residents in affected areas to reduce their water intake by 10 per cent. If dry conditions continue in the coming weeks, the warning could be upgraded to Level II and residents will be asked to reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent.
Ministry of Environment offers the following tips on conserving the water in and around the home:
- Repair all leaks. A good way to check for leaks is to turn off all taps the home and check water meter to see if water is still flowing. Make sure there are no leaky toilets - they can waste as much as 200 liters of water per day. Toilet leaks can be detected by putting a little food coloring to the water tank. If the colour appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking and should be repaired.
- Don't water lawns and gardens or wash your car when a municipal water shortage is in effect.
- Water lawns and gardens no more than once a week - early morning or late evening watering reduces evaporation.
- Don't cut your grass too short as this encourages evaporation. Leaving the length of your grass longer will ensure healthier growth.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They retain moisture and fertilize at the same time.
- Don't thaw frozen foods under the water. Defrost them in the microwave or in the refrigerator.
- Don't rinse food or dishes under the tap. Use a water in the bowl or a sink.
- Don't run a tap for cold water. Keep a jug of water in the refrigerator.
- Take a shower instead of a bath. If you do take a bath, use less water.
- Shower for 5 minutes instead of 10. That will save about 40 liters of water.
- Wash only full loads of laundry.
Every act of conservation helps. Water is a precious resource - it's a lifeline for humans and for all living things. Every one of us can and must take action to conserve water in and around home. You can too.
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