Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment Canada, attended the recent meeting of the Otonabee Region Water Response Team and gave an overview of some facts about the weather this region has been experiencing this year. In the photo from left to right are Cam Bonner, Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture / Gordon Earle, Water Resource Technologist – Otonabee Conservation / Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment Canada / Sherry Senis, Vice-Chair, Otonabee Conservation.
The Otonabee Region Water Response Team advises members of the watershed community that the Level 2 low water condition remains in effect. This means that water users of both municipal and private water supplies are strongly encouraged to continue to reduce their water use by 20% in their daily routines and activities.
Dan Marinigh, Chief Administrative Officer with Otonabee Conservation, suggests that, “even though lawns look green given what little rainfall we have received, multiple, prolonged, slow and steady rainfall events are needed to replenish wetlands, streams and lakes as well as recharge the groundwater supplies that people depend on for drinking water.”
“Water is a shared resource,” emphasizes Marinigh. “Excessive water use could draw down groundwater aquifers which would have a negative impact on neighbouring and nearby wells. So it’s up to all of us to use water wisely, and continue to reduce water use by 20% in daily routines and activities.”
Otonabee Conservation will continue to monitor watershed conditions as part of its daily water level monitoring cycle. Unless watershed conditions change dramatically, the Level 2 low water condition, urging a 20% reduction in water use, remains in effect until further notice. KG
