New readings show Metro Vancouver’s water reservoirs have dropped well into record low levels for this time of year. The regional district now has 75 per cent of its total drinking water capacity available, as of July 5.
“We’re into uncharted territory here,” said Darrell Mussatto, chair of Metro’s utilities committee. “We are using our water more than we did obviously last year and more than we have in the past. We’re at early August levels in early July.” Metro already moved to stage 2 water restrictions effective last Friday – that reduces lawn sprinkling from three days to just once a week and bans water uses like pressure washing.
Hot, dry weather throughout May and June had sharply increased water demand in the region. Mussatto said it’s too early to say if Metro will order tougher water restrictions yet. He said more time is needed to see if the stage 2 restrictions do enough to reduce water consumption. “If everyone responds well that will allow us to get into the fall.”
