PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
2004-06-10

 
For further information contact:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 546-4291, ext. 3116 (cell 329-3462)

SUMMERS BRINGS
WATER RESTRICTIONS

	RELATED LINKS CONSERVATION TIPS Learn more about water conservation for lawns and gardens.

The warmer weather has finally arrived and that means higher demands on water systems - leading to decreased water supplies, low water pressure and in extreme cases putting the system at risk and making it difficult to fight a fire. Beginning June 15, Utilities Kingston will restrict the outdoor water used by its customers.

This year, and in the years to come, outdoor watering restrictions will be in place from June 15 to September 30. Residents with odd number civic addresses may use outdoor water on odd number calendar days.Residents with even number civic addresses may use outdoor water on even number calendar days. On your scheduled day, most outdoor water can be used at any time. However, lawn sprinklers can only be used in the mornings between 5:00 and 9:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.

Utilities Kingston President and CEO, Jim Keech describes outdoor water use. "Residents with an even number civic address can water gardens and new sod with a hand-held garden hose or watering can and wash their cars at any time on even number calendar day. Likewise, for those with odd number addresses using water on odd numbered days. Lawn sprinklers can only be used in the mornings between 5:00 and 9:00 a.m. on your scheduled day."

Early morning is considered the best time to water your lawn to avoid evaporation and grass diseases. Lawns only need about 3 cm (1 inch) of water weekly. "A typical lawn sprinkler will deliver that amount in about one hour," adds Keech.

Water conservation is also becoming increasingly important across Canada and many cities are moving towards structuring the cost of municipal water in a manner that encourages water conservation.

In addition to imposing water restrictions to ease the pressures on the system and promote conservation, City Council approved a Water Conservation Rate which applies a 25 percent surcharge to all water used above 25 cubic metres per month.

"The average household uses 20 cubic metres of water per month," says Keech. "The new rate structure will allow for some outdoor water use during the peak season, but still encourage conservation."

"There is still a possibility that if the summer is very dry, the watering restrictions and billing surcharge may not relieve the water system enough to provide adequate pressure," warns Keech. "In this case, it is possible there will be a period when a complete ban on outdoor watering is necessary."

For more information visit www.utilitieskingston.com or call the Customer Service Centre, at 546-0000.

BACKGROUND

There are two water treatment facilities in the City of Kingston. The Central Water Purification facility is located on King Street and provides water to homes in Kingston East and Central. The Kingston West Water Treatment facility is located on Sunnyside Road and provides water to homes in the west end. In 2003, the water facilities treated an average of 83,585 cubic metres (m³) of water per day (57,863 m³ from central and 25,722 m3 from the west facility).

Each plant operates under a "Permit to take water" issued by Ontario Ministry of Environment that sets limits on the amount of water that can be withdrawn each day. The limits for the plants are 118,000 m³ per day (central) and 39,500 m³ per day (west).

Each plant also operates under a Certificate of Approval issued by the Ontario Ministry of Environment that sets limits on the amount of water that can be treated and pumped into our distribution systems. These limits are 118,000 m³ per day (central) and 45,455 m³ (west).

Water consumption at both plants generally peaks in the summer months due to increased use of water for outdoor purposes, such as filling swimming pools, lawn and garden watering etc. In 2003, the peaks were 68,498 m3 per day (central) and 41,500 m³ per day (west) compared to minimum flows of 47,392 m³ per day (central) and 20,800 m³ (west). For each peak day, both the consumption and the quantity of water pumped varies each hour. The peak usage period normally occurs between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Under conditions where the demand exceeds the ability of the plants to properly treat water, water levels at the water towers and the reservoirs will be drawn upon. Where these reserves are drawn too low the water storage in the distribution systems will drop, in some cases below what is required for fire protection. When this occurs it is necessary to impose watering restrictions to reduce the overall consumption and in particular to reduce the use at the times when the plant is approaching its capacity.

Good water is a precious resource, essential to human survival. It is important to care about using water wisely so there will be enough for future generations. Using water wisely, eases the burden on water treatment plants, storage and distribution facilities. That means Utilities Kingston and the City of Kingston can delay building new facilities, which can be expensive. Reducing the amount of water consumed in the region allows money that would have otherwise been spent on expanding water supply infrastructure to be used for other projects such as drinking water treatment.

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