Water conservation ‘essential’ as drought conditions continue in Ottawa

People in rural Ottawa taking water from private wells or rivers are being “strongly encouraged” to reduce overall water use and suspend non-essential tasks.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) issued a Level 3 drought condition statement across its watershed, which includes the majority of the nation’s capital. According to the organization, the warning is triggered when rainfall deficits fall below 40 per cent of the long-term average.

“There is a failure of the water supply to meet demand,” the description on the RVCA website reads.

The authority is asking people to reduce their water consumption and not to use water for non-essential activities. Those with groundwater wells are being urged to use water responsibly and help protect aquifers.

Although these strong encouragements are meant for those in the rural parts of Ottawa, the RVCA is asking urban dwellers to also reduce overall demand.

This comes after several other warnings from the three conservation authorities that guide residents, noting similar dry conditions in rivers, ponds and creeks.

Both the Mississippi Valley and South Nation conservation authorities have declared a Level 2, moderate, drought across waterways. These include areas in southeast Ottawa and within the Carp River area.

The lack of rainfall, coupled with 22 days of temperatures over 30 C in Ottawa, is contributing to the drought conditions. RVCA is also saying that the forecast doesn’t look like it will let up any time soon.

The authority does say that there could be some rainfall in Ottawa, but that it’s not enough to replenish the waterways sufficiently.