The South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat on Aug. 17, 2023. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Chris Brown

Cypress County doing the same

City asking public to conserve water in response to low river levels

Aug 23, 2023 | 9:48 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Phase 1 of the Water Shortage Management Plan will be enacted by the City of Medicine Hat effective Aug. 28.

Officials have been monitoring the flow rates of the South Saskatchewan River during the hot and dry summer, conditions that are expected to continue, says the city in a news release. Those factors combined with low river levels and water shortage advisories for river basins upstream from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas led the city to the decision.

Phase 1 of the Water Shortage Management Plan asks for voluntary public water conservation measures, explains the city release. Voluntary actions include limiting the watering of lawns and gardens to 60 minutes per day not more than three days per week.

This phase also details mandatory water conservation measures for the city to minimize non-essential water use by limiting actions like non-essential hydrant flushing and reducing watering in some city parks.

“Our priority is to ensure ongoing water treatment and distribution of safe, reliable drinking water to our customers,” says Greg Paxman, interim manager of treatment plants. “We encourage everyone to do their part in conserving water by following the city’s Phase 1 guidelines. This will help lessen the demand for water until the river flow rates return to normal levels.”

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The city says Phase 2 of the Water Shortage Management Plan could be enacted if low flow rates continue and voluntary water conservation measures don’t have the desired impact.

More information about water conservation and the details of Phase 1 at medicinehat.ca/waterconservation.

Cypress County will also implement the first stage of its Drought Management Plan starting Monday and is urging residents to conserve water to avoid further restrictions.

“This could include watering lawns less frequently, shutting off water features, only running laundry machines or dishwashers with full loads and taking shorter showers,” reads a statement.

It also states county green spaces and parks will be watered less frequently, emergency services won’t use water for training purposes and sewer flushing operations will stop.