For Immediate Release
2003-07-16
For further information contact:
Kevin Riley, Utilities Kingston, 546-1181 ext. 2224
WATER CONSERVATION BY-LAW IN EFFECT JULY 16: CIVIC ADDRESS DETERMINES WHEN TO WATER LAWNS
Hoping to avoid imposing a total ban on the outdoor use of water, the City of Kingston has announced that effective Wednesday, July 16 residents must limit the amount of water they are using until further notice.
"With both water treatment facilities undergoing significant renovations, it's critical that we reduce water consumption over the next four months. We need to maintain safe water production capabilities and must keep the facilities in compliance with all Ministry of Environment requirements", said Kevin Riley, Manager of the City's water and wastewater operations.
The need for water conservation is significant enough that Utilities Kingston has asked that the bylaw regulating and restricting the use of water be implemented, meaning that the outdoor use of water can only be done on alternate days, between the hours of 6:00 and 10:00 a.m. until further notice.
This means that the outdoor use of water is permitted from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. only on odd numbered calendar days if a civic address is an odd number and even numbered calendar days only if a civic address is an even number.
Riley says that the Citys water systems have greater capacity available in the morning than the evening hours when indoor use of water is typically higher.
Watering flower gardens or new sod with a watering can or hand held hose is permitted for short period of time, noted Riley.
The City of Kingston announced today that water restrictions will be in place again this summer, effective immediately. These restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
Kingston's Water Treatment facilities are undergoing further upgrades to continue to serve our water customers with a safe and reliable supply of water.
Due to these improvements, it is extremely important that the City's water customers conserve water during this critical period.
During these hot, dry summer months, the City along with Utilities Kingston is requesting your assistance in reducing water usage throughout the entire City.
City of Kingston By-Law restricts lawn watering to every other day.
- If the address of your home is an even number, you are permitted to water on even-numbered days.
- If the address of your home is an odd number, you are permitted to water on odd-numbered days.
Note: Hand watering using a jug or watering can is permitted for watering for a short period of time.
City residents may water on their specified days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Morning is the time of least demand on the treatment system and therefore the most capacity to enable an additional demand such as lawn watering. We are encouraging all residents to limit all uses of water between 6 and 10 pm. as this is the peak demand time.
It is essential that we work together to ensure that the distribution system has adequate pressure to maintain fire protection requirements throughout the City. Over the next few weeks we will report to the community on the water flows and the impact of the conservation methods.
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