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Water Ban
For Immediate Release July 10, 2009
MOUNT PEARL, NL – As citizens know, in various municipalities there are Water Conservation Orders and/or By-Laws in place. Effective immediately, the City of Mount Pearl, as well as the City of St. John’s, the Towns of Paradise, Conception Bay South and Portugal Cove-St. Philips are introducing further restrictions under the Water Conservation Order. In an effort to reduce water usage, these Cities and Towns are now introducing a total ban on the outside usage of water.
During the past several weeks the water level at Bay Bulls Big Pond has been closely monitored. The rain over the last several months has been insignificant and the latest long range forecast contains very little precipitation, and, in fact, we appear to be headed for more hot weather. Unfortunately, the water level has continued to drop at Bay Bulls Big Pond and is approaching a level that may result in the plant not being able to meet the demand in coming weeks. Consequently, there is a potential for low water pressure or loss of water in the areas of higher elevation. The unusual hot weather this spring and lack of rain and runoff from snow melt has resulted in these low water levels. The rate at which the reservoir had been dropping has been reduced by the conservation efforts demonstrated by residents. Despite these conservation efforts, the water levels have continued to drop and presently the low levels are cause for great concern. These levels are now so low that we must take further steps to conserve the remaining water supply.
As a result, effective immediately, there is a ban on:
(a) The watering of lawns at anytime (only exception is new lawns (1)).
(b) The watering of flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, etc.
(c) The use of water for outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs.
(d) The washing of driveways and vehicles.
(e) The pressure washing of windows and house siding.
(1) It is recommended that residents save and use household water for this purpose.
The only exceptions to this ban are:
(a) Commercial Car Washes
(b) Commercial Pressure Washing Companies
(c) New lawns for 60 days (watering to take place only between these times –
6:00 am – 8:00 am and 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm daily) (2)
(d) Commercial Greenhouses and Nurseries within their premises only
(2) Residents who already have new lawns installed will be permitted to water them for 60 days. Residents with new lawns are required to register with the City by contacting the Planning and Development Department at 748-1017. It is recommended that residents who have not completed their landscaping as of July 9, 2009 defer such work until later this year.
Effective immediately, the City’s Municipal Enforcement Officers and other City staff have been instructed to monitor any use of outside water during the ban. Citizens are reminded that infractions can result in fines of $100 (first offence) and $250 (second or subsequent offence).
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For additional information, please contact:
Mayor Randy Simms, City of Mount Pearl
Tel: 709.748.1030
E-mail: rsimms@mountpearl.ca
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