For Immediate Release
2005-06-20
For further information contact:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 546-4291, extension 3116 (cell, 329-3462)
BY-LAW OFFICERS MOVE TO CHARGE ILLEGAL WATER USERS
After a successful two-week public education program, Utilities Kingston in conjunction with the City will step up enforcement of water restrictions - moving
from issuing a warning straight to issuing charges.
Utilities Kingston President and CEO Jim Keech says the municipality is confident that customers are now aware of the water restrictions that are in place.
Newspaper and radio ads have been running and, with the assistance of the media, there has been extensive local and regional news coverage. Messages advising of
the upcoming restrictions have been posted on water bills since mid-May and information is posted on both the City and Utilities Kingston Web sites.
Keech commended the many customers who immediately complied with the water restrictions. The potable water supply and pressure has been maintained since the
restrictions have been in place. "Most customers appreciate that adequate supply and pressure needs to be maintained for fire protection," added Keech.
However, not all customers have been complying with the water restrictions.
By-law staff responded to nearly 80 incidents related to water restrictions in the past two weeks and will continue to be on the look out for illegal water
users. "But the majority of the warnings were issued after the City investigated complaints received from area neighbours," noted by-law enforcement supervisor,
Kim Leonard.
City and Utilities officials remind water customers contracting the services of a private landscaper that landscaping companies are not exempt from the water
restrictions and in most cases, it will be the Utilities Kingston water customer that faces charges if their water service is being used illegally.
The annual water restrictions were imposed on June 6, nine days earlier than last year after warmer than usual weather conditions resulted in high water use -
decreasing potable water reserves to dangerously low levels. The restrictions will remain in place until September 30.
Customers with odd number civic addresses may use outdoor water on odd number calendar days. Customers with even number civic addresses may use outdoor water on
even number calendar days. On your scheduled day outdoor water can be used at any time to water gardens and new sod with a hand-held garden hose or watering can.
However, 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."
Utilities Kingston customers who do not comply with the water restrictions may face a fine up to a maximum of $5,000.
For more information on water restrictions, visit www.utilitieskingston.com,
or call the Customer Service Centre, at 546-0000.
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