The City of Kimberley will be going the “gentle reminder” route with those who are not following watering regulations under the City’s Water Shortage Response Bylaw No. 2527, 2015, rather than fines.
The new bylaw, introduced last fall, sets out stages of water regulations. Stage one kicked in automatically on June 1. Stage one requires watering times of 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Even numbered addresses water on even days, odd numbers on odd days.
City staff will be monitoring water throughout the city and issuing tags to those who are watering at the wrong time.
Last year as the summer progressed concern over the amount of water flowing over the dam grew, which led to Council beefing up the watering bylaw.
The City can, at any time they feel necessary, bump restrictions up.
Stage 2 restrictions require even numbered properties to water only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, same times; and odd numbers Thursdays and Sundays. City lawns, parks and boulevards will be watered once a week at Stage 2. Washing boats or motor vehicles, and pressure washing will not be permitted, nor will public fountains or water features be on.
In Stage 3, there will be no watering of lawns allowed. Watering of sports fields will be allowed only to the extent of keeping them in usable condition. Golf courses will only water greens and tee areas. You may still water flower and vegetable gardens.
Stepping up to level 4, there will be no watering of lawns or gardens, no watering of school yards or sports fields, no operation of automatic car washes, no filling or re-filling of any type of pool. These stage 4 restrictions apply to golf courses and cemeteries as well.
The City will make public announcements when entering any stage of restrictions.
Penalties will begin at $100. Second offences may gain you a fine of up to $500, and no less than $250. In stage 4 restrictions, a commercial operator will be fined no less than $1000 for not following the bylaw.
