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UPDATE: Water Restriction Stage 2 LIFTED

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UPDATE: July 29, 2024, 1:00 PM

Details

  • Thanks to all the Lakers protecting our water
  • Your efforts have kept us out of stage 3 restrictions and allowed us to return to regular water conservation
  • We ask that Lakers return to observing water conservation so that we can continue to stay out of restrictions

UPDATE: July 25, 2024, 4:00 PM ***********

  • Status: Stage 2 water restrictions remain active
  • Next update: July 29, 2024
  • Why: Find restriction rules and learn why we need water restrictions at sylvanlake.ca/water
  • Thanks to all the Lakers following the restriction rules. You made it possible to avoid going into stage 3 today
  • Please keep in mind that if water usage increases, the Town must enter stage 3 water restrictions, so keep up the good work

UPDATE: July 23, 2024, 2:00 PM ***********

  • Status: Stage 2 water restrictions remain active
  • Next update: July 25, 2024
  • Why: Find restriction rules and learn why we need water restrictions at sylvanlake.ca/water
  • Thanks to all the Lakers following the restriction rules. You made it possible to avoid going into stage 3 today
  • Please keep in mind that if water usage increases, the Town must enter stage 3 water restrictions, so keep up the good work

UPDATE: July 22, 2:00 PM ***********

  • Status: Stage 2 water restrictions remain active, see July 19 update below for rules
  • Next update: July 23, 2024
  • Thanks to all the Lakers following the restriction rules. You made it possible to avoid going into stage 3 today
  • Please keep in mind that if water usage increases, the Town must enter stage 3 water restrictions, so keep up the good work

UPDATE: July 19, 2:00 PM ***********

Stage 2 water restrictions are activated as of 10:00 PM, July 19, 2024. High water usage has exceeded the ability of the reservoir to refill. The recent callout to reduce water usage was unsuccessful. Since we are using water faster than the wells can refill, we must enter restrictions.

The next update is on Monday, July 22, 2024. If our community does not act now to conserve water, the Town must enter stage 3 water restrictions on July 22, 2024. Stage 3 includes a full ban on all outdoor water use and may include other measures.

Allowed

  • Watering gardens, trees, grass and shrubs with a watering can, drip irrigation or watering by hand with a hose

Not allowed

  • Lawn watering with automatic sprinkler/ irrigation systems
  • Outdoor washing of windows, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, decks, and exterior building surfaces
  • Filling fountain, pools, ponds, and hot tubs
  • No car washing (at home)

Conserve water

  • Keep personal hygiene showers short and within the hours of 7:00 PM - 10:00 AM
  • Run dishwashers and washing machines during 7:00 PM - 10:00 AM, full loads only
  • Flush only when needed. If it?s yellow let it mellow

The Town is also conserving

  • Enacting stage 2 restrictions as outlined in the Water Conservation and Demand Management Measurement Policy
  • Shutting down all irrigation for the Town
  • Closing the Spray park
  • Closing the NexSource Centre hot tub

Learn more

  • Water Conservation and Demand Management Measurement Policy to guide Town of Sylvan Lake operations
  • Drought | Alberta.ca
  • Learn how to save water: sylvanlake.ca/savewater

Updates

  • We will provide an update on Monday, July 22, 2024
  • Find updates on this page, accessible through: sylvanlake.ca/water

Questions?

  • Contact us online to ask a question about water conservation

Media relations contact

  • Get in touch with our media relations professionals at communications@sylvanlake.ca

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July 18, 2024

The Town of Sylvan Lake is currently experiencing reduced water levels in our reservoir. This current dry spell combined with high temperatures is impacting available water. Wells only refill at a certain rate. That rate slows when conditions are dry and hot. If we use water faster than the wells can refill, we will enter restrictions.

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

What is next?

  • We are calling on all Lakers, both businesses and residents, to protect our water supply. We hope that this will be enough to avoid a formal water restriction. Using water efficiently and eliminating wasteful water usage can mean the difference between going into a restriction or remaining under water conservation.

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 AM - 4:00 PM)

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

Questions?

  • Contact us online to ask a question about water conservation

Media relations contact

  • Get in touch with our media relations professionals at communications@sylvanlake.ca

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