A drier-than-normal summer in portions of southwestern Ontario has resulted in an alert by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA).
The SCRCA has declared a Level I Low Water Condition due to low water levels in the watershed.
According to the Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) program, the condition is implemented when a watershed receives 80 per cent or less of the normal amount of precipitation over three months.
"Precipitation data collected throughout the watershed indicates that the rainfall average for this July, August, and September is now below the three-month historical average," read the release from the SCRCA. "Stream flow data was also reviewed, which provided further indications of dry conditions. Reduced rainfall leads to low flows as there is a lack of water to replenish creeks, streams, and wetlands. An observed reduction below 70 per cent of the normal flows at the SCRCA flow gauges has confirmed this sequence of events."
A Level I is the least serious of the OLWR categories and is often the first sign of potential water supply problems.
The SCRCA has asked residents to voluntarily reduce their water use by ten per cent. Refraining from activities such as watering lawns and washing vehicles is among the suggestions made to reduce water use.
The conservation authority will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.
