For Immediate Release
2005-06-06
For further information contact:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 546-4291, extension 3116 (cell 329-3462)
UPDATE: RESTRICTIONS ON WATER USE WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
High water use decreased potable water reserves to dangerously low levels this past weekend forcing Utilities Kingston President and CEO, Jim Keech to impose the annual restrictions effective immediately.
Higher demands on the water systems lead to decreased potable water reserves, low water pressure and, in extreme cases, put the system at risk and make it difficult to fight a fire. The restrictions will remain in place until 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 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.
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 a.m. 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. A lawn only needs about three cm (one inch) of water each week. "A typical lawn sprinkler will deliver that amount in about one hour," adds Keech.
"If the summer is very dry, the watering restrictions may not relieve the water system enough to provide adequate pressure," warns Keech. "It is possible there will be a period of time when a complete ban on outdoor watering becomes necessary."
For more information on water restrictions, call the Customer Service Centre, at 546-0000.
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BACKGROUNDER
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 Sunnyacres Road and provides water to homes in the west end. In 2004, the water facilities treated an average of 80,014 cubic metres of water per day (57,017 cubic metres from central and 22,997 cubic metres from the west facility).
Each facility 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 cubic metres per day (central) and 39,500 cubic metres per day (west).
Each facility 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 cubic metres per day (central) and 45,455 cubic metres (west).
Water consumption at both facilities generally peaks in the summer months due to increased use of water for outdoor purposes, such as filling swimming pools and watering lawns and gardens. In 2004, the peaks were 71,600 cubic metres per day (central) and 28,900 cubic metres per day (west) compared to minimum flows of 45,300 cubic metres per day (central) and 18,250 cubic metres (west). For each peak day, both the consumption and the quantity of water pumped vary 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 facilities, 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 being used 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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