Following a letter from the province asking municipalities to conserve water, the Town of Bashaw council had the community’s water restriction bylaw before it during the Jan. 17 meeting.
According to chief administrative officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller, the bylaw was provided as a template by the Highway 12/21 Water Commission.
“I’m anticipating that as we get closer to spring and/or summer, we’ll hear more directives from the commission,” said Fuller.
There are four levels of water restriction under the bylaw, escalating in severity.
Under a level one restriction, odd-numbered homes may water lawns on Thursdays and Sundays, and even-numbered homes may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Sprinklers and water toys may be used as long as people are present during use.
Under a level two restriction, all outdoor water use is prohibited, including watering lawns, washing cars, and recreational use.
Moving into a level three restriction, local residential and commercial customers are asked to limit water use and all bulk water sales, aside from for residential use, are suspended.
Under these three restrictions, flowerbeds and gardens may be watered by hand at any time, using either a watering can or a hose with a trigger nozzle.
Finally, under a level four restriction, consumers may find themselves with reduced water pressure, or a limited, interrupted water supply.
Coun. Kyle McIntosh noted he liked “the language” of the document.
“There are some permissive aspects to it,” said McIntosh.
“I do envision there being resistance if we have to roll out heavy restrictions.”
Coun. Jackie Northey motioned for the town to create a communication strategy to communicate with residents about the potential need for restrictions.
Due to the drought conditions seen in the province, Alberta is currently at level four, of five, in its drought management plan.
SEE ALSO: Town of Bashaw beginning drought preparations
Snow removal
Town of Bashaw public works foreman Patrick Taylor wants to apologize to residents for snow removal not going as smoothly as it could.
“We are short our seasoned grader operator,” said Taylor, during the council meeting.
Taylor shared with council that he and other staff were in the process of being trained on the equipment, but it was slow going.
“I assure you, we will only get better,” said Taylor.
“Don’t be throwing stuff at the grader. We will do better.”
Taylor noted that despite hiccups in operations, the roads have been cleared and are being maintained.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that fast of snow removal,” said Coun. Jackie Northey.
Fuller noted that for homeowners shovelling snow, “please shovel snow onto your lawns and not onto the street.”
Shovelling onto the lawns limits the snow that the operators have to move, and the only area in town where shovelling onto the street is acceptable is Main Street.
Currently, the Town of Bashaw sends out alerts through Voyent Alert, a mobile phone app, and social media notifying residents where snow removal is going to take place.
The app can be found on both Apple and Android app stores.
