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By rdnewsNOW staff

UPDATED

Sylvan Lake urging water conservation to avoid restrictions

Jul 18, 2024 | 3:08 PM

UPDATE: July 19, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

The Town of Sylvan Lake is currently experiencing reduced water levels in its reservoir due to dry conditions and high water usage.

The Town is calling on all Lakers, both businesses and residents, to protect the water supply. Follow water conservation rules and learn more here.

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The Town of Sylvan Lake says it needs residents and businesses to use less water as the dry spell and high temperatures continue.

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These factors have led to reduced water levels in the local reservoir, according to the municipality, which adds that wells can only refill at a certain rate. That rate slows when conditions are dry and hot.

Restrictions could come into effect if residents continue to use water faster than the wells can refill, a release states.

“Both the Town, and residents must act now to save water. We have seen Lakers pull together as a community for many other goals,” it reads.

“The NexSource Centre and the Spray Park are examples of Lakers working together to bring the impossible to life. We believe in our community’s ability to successfully meet this challenge with kindness, positivity, and success.”

How should Lakers reduce water use?

• Follow water conservation rules: sylvanlake.ca/conservewater
• Reduce flushing: “if it’s yellow, let it mellow”
• Save water in your home: sylvanlake.ca/savewater
• How you can help save water: alberta.ca/drought-how-can-you-help

How is the Town reducing its water use?

• Temporary suspension of water intensive operations:
  • Flushing water, sewer, storm mains and lift stations
  • Temporarily suspending the commissioning of new water mains
  • Sidewalk washing
  • Street sweeping
• Using previously harvested rainwater to water flowers
• Spray park operating on reduced hours (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Why is water low?

• The lowered levels are due to a reduced refill rate in several of our wells
• Our wells depend on water from an aquifer that is part of the Paskapoo formation. This aquifer is filled by glacial run off, snow, snow melt, rain, sleet, and hail
• Alberta is experiencing a long-term drought. This means that even though we had a period of rainy weather, it is not enough to catch up

Learn more:

• Water Conservation and Demand Management Measurement Policy to guide Town of Sylvan Lake operations
• Drought | Alberta.ca

Contact the Town online to ask a question about water conservation

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