Calgarians asked to reduce water consumption in preparation for drought

If you took a look outside right now you would be greeted with lots, and lots, and lots of snow. With the first day of spring having been a couple of days ago, this is one last hurdle Calgarians will have to get through before they’ll be greeted with green grass and warm weather. Unfortunately, with an abnormally warm spring ahead, this snow will not be enough to offset the dry winter and there are still major concerns over drought. 

“The winter snowpack is our water supply through this spring as well as the summer.” Says Natural Environment and Adaptation Manager Nicole Newton. “And so we need a significantly above average snowpack to be able to bring us out of drought conditions. The watershed as a whole is in a deficit and so it’s going to take a significant amount of precipitation to bring us back to normal and to restore the watershed.”

As a result, the City of Calgary is asking Calgarians to cut down on their water usage in preparation for a spring and summer drought although it all starts with leading by example. 

“And as a result, you’ll see some changes,” Says Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, “like city vehicles, looking a little less clean, lakes, park spaces, looking less green, and many display fountains being turned off this year. Where water use is needed, we’re being smart about how we use it.”

Gonedek also noted that the city will be using soil moisture sensors that will allow the city to strategically water city trees and plants as needed. 

As for what the average Calgarian can do, Gondek says it starts with the little things. 

“When it comes to individuals, we all heard this as kids, turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. We’ve all heard it but sometimes we’re not necessarily practicing it. So the little things you can do at home in turn are a full load of laundry, a full dishwasher; it’s just reminders to people.”

Gondek emphasizes that the first step is education and if restrictions are put in place early this year, they won’t come as a complete surprise to Calgarians. 

No water restrictions have been put in place yet and the city will make another update at the end of April. At the absolute earliest, Calgarians could see restrictions being implemented at the beginning of May.

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