ELORA – Centre Wellington has always had outdoor water use restrictions, says Dino Masiero, manager of water services and environmental sustainability.
“But this year the bylaw has been refreshed to recognize mandatory uses like Guelph and Waterloo does,” Masiero said at the township’s key projects open house on May 29.
Practicing good outdoor water conservation techniques protects groundwater resources and ensures there is water for essential services, especially during drought conditions.
As the township’s municipal supply is 100 per cent sourced from ground water, it’s in everyone’s best interest to preserve, and certainly not to waste, that resource.
There are three levels of water restrictions and there’s not much difference between levels 0 and 1.
For levels 0 and 1, outdoor watering is restricted to the hours between 6 and 9am and 6 and 9pm on alternate days to a maximum three or four days a week.
Odd numbered addresses can water on odd-numbered days; even numbered addresses on even-numbered days.
Watering lawns and decorative gardens is to be done by hose with a shut-off nozzle or by sprinkler during permitted hours.
Irrigation systems are to run overnight between midnight and 6am on permitted days.
Pools, hot tubs, decorative water features and ponds should be filled by hose on alternate days during permitted hours. The same holds for washing cars, boats and exterior washing.
A permit is required for those laying sod or seeding their lawns.
“Newly laid sod requires water each day for the first week outside of the municipal address days,” reads a statement on the township’s website.
Those with permits are allowed to water daily between 6 and 9am and 6 and 9pm for a one-week period.
Water exemption permits are available on centrewellington.ca.
Watering vegetable gardens, fruit shrubs and food gardens can be done by hose with a shut-off nozzle or by watering can any time of day.
“This is to recognize the importance of food sustainability,” Masiero said.
Level 2 regulations are more restricted.
Watering is still permitted between the appointed hours and alternate days, but just one day a week.
Irrigation systems are to be turned off; vehicles can be washed manually with a bucket, no hose.
And permits for new sod or grass seed will not be issued at level 2.
Watering food is still allowed in level 2 but only during permitted hours and days by hose.
Watering with a watering can remains unrestricted.
With the updated bylaw, the township is now aligned with the Grand River Conservation Authority’s drought indicator, so if the watershed goes to level two, Centre Wellington will as well.
“This is an integral part of water conservation,” Masiero said, adding following these restrictions can reduce overall use by 10 to 20%.
“Centre Wellington has never been in level 2 restrictions, but it could happen. People need to be aware,” Masiero said.
The township also offers these other water conservation tips:
– brown grass does not mean dead grass. Lawns will go dormant when it’s dry and will bounce back when it rains;
– lawns only need an inch of water once a week;
– oscillating sprinklers that spray water close to the ground are more efficient that fan-style sprinklers, which lose more water to evaporation;
– native plants don’t need as much water as non-natives;
– mulch can retain moisture on garden beds and reduce the need for watering;
– make sure your hose connections aren’t leaking and turn off the hose when not in use; and
– rain barrels can collect water and reduce reliance on municipal water.
