Despite recent rainfall, the District of Port Hardy is still suffering from a severe water shortage.
“We’re in worse shape than we were,” said Mayor Hank Bood at the regular meeting of council July 14.
“We’re not done with our lack of water,” Bood said.
The District of Port Hardy is now at Stage 3 restrictions which includes no lawn watering; no filling of pools, hot tubs or fountains; no washing of boats or vehicles; no washing of sidewalks, driveways, sidewalks or parking lots or exterior windows or building surfaces.
Residents may water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables between the hours of 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. as long as a hand-held container or hose with a shut off nozzle is used.
According to Utilities Supervisor Joe Jewell, the District of Port Hardy water treatment plant has already produced 92 million litres more than it did at this time last year.
“This demand, compounded with no snowpack and very low precipitation this spring, has dropped our watershed to a concerning level,” said Jewell in an email to council.
Jewell reports that since the town first introduced restrictions, consumption appears to be down about eight per cent.
“During the fire when the community was asked to refrain from any unneeded water usage the community’s efforts were very noticeable and appreciated,” he said.
The district is asking the community to be diligent about water conservation and is encouraging citizens to reuse water and repair any known leaking fixtures.
