THUNDER BAY – The Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority is asking for help to conserve water. Bill Bartley the chairperson says “Below average precipitation over the fall and winter and very low spring water conditions in area waterways prompted the Lakehead Region conservation Authority (LRCA) to call a Water Response Team Meeting”.
At the meeting it was confirmed that the LRCA Area of Jurisdiction is in a Level I Low Water condition due to lower than normal precipitation over the past three months. Amounts recorded at area precipitation gauges indicate that received precipitation is less than 52-percent (57-millimetres) of the average amount expected between January and March. Precipitation over this period on average is 109-millimetres.
Criteria for declaring a Low Water condition are set out within the Ontario Low Water Response Program which the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority administers within its Area of Jurisdiction. This includes the City of Thunder Bay, Municipalities of Oliver Paipoonge, Neebing and Shuniah as well as the Townships of O’Connor, Conmee, Gillies and Dorion.
A watershed enters Level I when its 3 month or 18 month total precipitation drops below 80% of the average for the period. During a Level I Low Water condition, water users are asked to voluntarily reduce their consumption by 10%. A Level I Low Water condition is considered to indicate potential water supply problems.
If the low levels of precipitation continue, water shortages may be experienced by residents dependant on well water. Rural water users are encouraged to monitor their water levels and reduce their water consumption accordingly to reduce the likelihood of water shortages in the coming months.
The Water Response Team recommends that all water users (residential, municipal, commercial, industrial, etc.) begin to implement water conservation measures, in an attempt to reduce their water use by by at least 10% to help ensure that adequate water supplies remain available. For further information information, visit www.lakeheadca.com.