South Nation encourages water conservation

South Nation Conservation (SNC)’s Water Response Team has issued a Level 1 Low Water Condition across the South Nation River watershed. A Level 1 Low Water condition means a potential low water supply problem has been identified, states Lisa Migneault, SNC Resources Technician.

PHOTO CREDIT - OurHometown.ca

Finch - Aug. 27, 2011 - South Nation Conservation (SNC)’s Water Response Team has issued a Level 1 Low Water Condition across the South Nation River watershed.

“A Level 1 Low Water condition means a potential low water supply problem has been identified,” states Lisa Migneault, SNC Resources Technician. SNC declared the low water condition due to below normal average stream flows for July and August.

The goal of a Level 1 Low Water Condition is to reduce water use by 10% through voluntary water conservation. SNC’s Water Response Team encourages the following simple water conservation practices:

1. Repair all leaks around the home.

2. If you must water your lawn, early morning or late evening watering reduces evaporation.

3. Use a pail of soapy water to wash your car and rinse it off quickly with a hose.

4. Water plants with water collected in a rain barrel.

5. If you must run the tap, save the excess water for watering plants.

There are three levels of low water conditions. A Level 2 condition involves conservation and restrictions on non-essential water use. A Level 3 Condition could mean restriction and regulation to reduce water use.

Under the Ontario Low Water Response Program, Conservation Authorities have each formed a Water Response Team to ensure that the public is provided with advance warning of reduced water availability, and that related decisions are made by local stakeholders.

The SNC Water Response Team, made up of representatives from provincial and municipal governments, agriculture and special interest groups, met recently to discuss the effects of low water in the watershed. Low water conditions have adverse effects on groundwater- which could result in dry wells - trees, agriculture, fish and water quality. According to Katherine Watson, SNC Water Resources Specialist, “lower flows can result in higher pollutant concentrations and lower oxygen levels for aquatic fauna, particularly fish.”

The South Nation River watershed received a significant amount of rain since the Team meeting took place; however, the watershed remains in a Level 1 Low Water Condition as an extended period of low-intensity rain events is required to return the stream flows back to normal.

The South Nation River begins at its headwater streams near Brockville and gathers water from as far away as Maxville to the east, and the City of Ottawa to the west, before it empties into the Ottawa River near Plantagenet.

Please contact Lisa Migneault at lmigneault@nation.on.ca or visit our website at Nation.on.ca. for more information.