City of Calgary reduces water use amid drought conditions

The City of Calgary says it has moved its drought monitoring dial to dry from normal.    

It says the decision is based on tracking of precipitation levels, reservoirs and lake levels, stream flow rates in the rivers and water demand.    

"Despite the moments of intense rainfall through July, our monitoring team continues to see impacts of this year's dry conditions across Calgary and the region," Sarah Marshall, the city's water resources planner, said in a statement.

"We're really being as prepared as we can and taking proactive measures to reduce water as a city," Marshall added later at a press conference Thursday. 

Officials say the flows in both the Bow and Elbow Rivers are well below normal for this time of year due to the low snowpacks and early snowmelt in the Bow and Elbow river basins.

Marshall said the Glenmore Reservoir is at full supply, but other reservoirs upstream of the city are lower than average. 

The city says it will reduce its use by cutting down on how much it waters flowers, turfs in parks and sports fields.  

It will also limit exterior washing of city vehicles and buses and reduce outdoor water use at city-owned and operated buildings. It is reducing the use of outdoor decorative fountains.

Marshall said water restrictions are still voluntary for Calgarians and there are no mandatory water restrictions in place, but the city is still encouraging people to participate in conservation efforts. 

Among the ways citizens could do so, the city suggests:

• Reduce the number of times a week you water your lawn and consider watering in the early morning, before 7 a.m., or later in the evening.  
• Water plants more efficiently with a soaker hose, drip irrigation or by hand to avoid losing water to evaporation.  
• Avoid washing your sidewalks, driveways, siding and outdoor furniture.  
• Leave the grass two to three inches high and add mulch to garden beds to reduce evaporation.
• Capture rainwater in a rain barrel and use it for the garden.
• In the meantime, the city says it is increasing efforts to monitor drought conditions.

It will also work with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, TransAlta and the downstream irrigation districts to manage water supply and demand along the Bow River.

The city said if drought conditions persist, it may implement mandatory outdoor water restrictions, "although timing of such restrictions and whether they will be necessary are still being considered."