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Each year, outdoor watering restrictions are in place from June 15 to September 15. 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, sprinkling devices can only be used in the mornings between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on your scheduled day. Utilities Kingston President and CEO Jim Keech describes outdoor water use: "On your scheduled day, outdoor watering is permitted at any time with a hand-held hose, can or bucket for activities such as watering lawns and gardens, washing cars and recreation. Lawn sprinklers and other sprinkling devices can only be used in the mornings between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on your scheduled day." The updated water by-law provides for a watering exemption to new homeowners and those with a new yard. "If you have a new yard, sod or seeded new lawn, you can apply for an exemption permit," said Keech. "The permit will allow you to water your new lawn for seven consecutive days with a sprinkling device between the usual morning hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m." If you have new trees or shrubs you can apply for an exemption permit which will allow you to water your new trees and shrubs for seven consecutive days with a hand-held hose or watering can. An exemption permit is $55 plus GST and issued by a Utilities Kingston services advisor at 1211 John Counter Blvd. "The permit is only valid for the seven day period listed on the permit. Only one exemption permit will be granted per property, per year." Exemption permits will not be issued for existing yards, trees and shrubs. However, if a circumstance of irreparable damage or undue hardship on a property owner is anticipated, up to two additional seven day exemption permits may be considered. "The weather has been quite cooperative so far this year. However, if the dry conditions worsen, the watering restrictions may not relieve the water system enough to provide adequate pressure," warned Keech. "It is possible there will be a period of time when a complete ban on outdoor watering becomes necessary." 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," added Keech. For more information on water restrictions or to download a copy of the exemption permit, visit www.utilitieskingston.com or call the Customer Service Centre at 613-546-0000. BACKGROUNDERThere 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 2005, the water facilities treated an average of 78,646 cubic metres of water per day (56,503 cubic metres from the central facility and 22,143 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 2005, the peaks were 69,600 cubic metres per day (central) and 33,270 cubic metres per day (west) compared to minimum flows of 42,300 cubic metres per day (central) and 18,300 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. - 30 - NATURAL GAS RATESELECTRICITY RATES |
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