Rural businesses, homes in Ottawa being asked to reduce water use

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), which covers most of the nation’s capital, is asking some people and businesses to try and lower their water usage.

The organization issued a release on July 30, noting how little rainfall the city has seen in the last couple of months. This, compounded with high temperatures, has lowered waterways within the capital region below usual.

RVCA is urging those who have permits for taking water from the surface or groundwater sources to reduce consumption. The notice does not impact the people who rely on the Ottawa River for water, which is most of the urban homes and businesses in the nation’s capital.

According to data shared by the authority, waterways in Kemptville, Jock River and Lower Rideau are less than 80 per cent of it’s average for this time of here. This means creeks spanning from these larger bodies of water are in the 10 to 25 per cent normal range for this time of year.

“Given the observations described above, Rideau Valley watershed residents and businesses in the impacted areas are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 per cent,” the memo reads.

This is because, within the next week, experts say it’s unlikely for more than five millimetres of rain to fall. The forecast is also showing consistent high temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 C, further drying up the streams.

Heat-warning breaks

This warning from the authority comes after a multi-day heat warning from Environment Canada that spanned most of southern and eastern Ontario.

Temperatures reached between 33 C and 35 C, but factoring in the humidex, it felt as hot as 40. Part of the problem was the little relief in the overnight hours, as temperatures did not go below 20 C.

It’s part of the ongoing high-heat and humidity the province has been seeing over the month of July.