Scorching temperatures and a lack of rainfall has the Upper Thames River watershed experiencing low-water conditions.
Due to the low-water levels the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is looking to Londoners to conserve as much water as possible.
UTRCA officials say the watershed received an average of 38 mm of rain in June, which is just over 40% of the normal rainfall for the month. Making matters worse, the watershed saw less than 50% of the normal precipitation from April to June.
"Stream flows in June were low, but not yet low enough to cross the Level 1 threshold," says Mark Helsten, senior water resources engineer with the UTRCA. "The three month precipitation statistics are enough to move the watershed into Level 1 Low Water Condition."
As ways to conserve water, residents are being asked to skip the carwash and not to water their grass, instead let it go dormant.
"If we do get any rain, save it in a rain barrel or buckets, to use in your garden," says Eleanor Heagy, UTRCA communications specialist.
The city remains under a tree watering alert with Londoners being asked to water new and mature trees on public and private property.
