Watering restrictions in Castlegar
By City of Castlegar
Summer can present special problems for Castlegar’s water system. During the summer season, daily residential water use can increase by as much as 200 per cent, primarily because of lawn and garden watering, as well as car washing.
Our residential water is pumped from the Arrow Lakes to reservoirs, from which water is supplied to residents. Excessive sprinkling during summer months reduces the water contained in our reservoirs. Even if the system has adequate supply, it may not be able to pump the water fast enough during this peak demand period to maintain storage for firefighting purposes.
Castlegar is attempting to stop the increase in water usage by restricting use during the summer months. This year, citizens are being asked to sprinkle on odd or even days, according to their residential address. Watering will be permitted from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day.
Residents who use a water regulating system (e.g. timers and underground sprinkler systems with timers) shall be exempted from the regulations, provided they do their outdoor watering between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on an alternating day basis. The reasoning behind this exemption is that timers and underground sprinkling systems allow the user to water during the coolest part of the day; therefore, less water is required and sprinkling times should be shorter. Please advise City Hall at 365-7227 if you have a water regulating system.
A fine of $50 will be levied for non-compliance to the watering regulations. However, under special circumstances, an exemption permit can be obtained at City Hall (460 Columbia Avenue) during regular office hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.. Reasons for exemption include the following: a new residential lawn, a means of controlling dust, and watering within a construction or building project.
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