A2 Sunday, May 2, 2010 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
GREATER VERNON WATER RESTRICTIONS How to Understand this Graph
Chart Title
Each coloured line in this graph (on the left) shows the total reservoir volume of our Aberdeen Plateau reservoirs for a one year period. Typically in April, the upland snow melts and fills the reservoir until the reservoirs fill up and spill or until run off ends. For instance the reservoirs filled and spilled in 2000 and 2005. The reservoirs did not fill in 2003 or 2009 and will not fill in 2010.
20000 20000.0
April 26
18000 18000.0
16000 16000.0
Reservoir Volume (ML) Axis Title
14000 14000.0
The coloured areas are the recommended drought Stages taken from the 2007 Greater Vernon Water Drought Management Report. If the reservoir storage drops into a coloured area, consideration should be given to the drought Stage indicated. Other considerations are the amount of snow pack still available, and the current weather conditions, especially rainfall and temperature.
Stage 2
12000 12000.0
10000 10000.0
Stage 3 8000 8000.0
Previous Low – 5780 ML
6000 6000.0
The graph shows that we are at the lowest storage ever, and consideration should be given to Stage 3 water restrictions. As there is little run off left and conditions are dry, a Stage 3 water restriction was issued.
April 26,2010 – 4410 ML
4000 4000.0
Stage 4
2000 2000.0
The vertical axis is in Mega Liters [ML]. • I ML = 1 million liters = 1 thousand cubic meters = 0.81 acre feet • There are 2.5 ML of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool.
2000
2001
2002
2003
Series5 2004 Series1
Series6 2005 Series2
Series7 2006 Series3
Series8 2007 Series4
2008
2009
2010
3-Dec 3-Dec 17-Dec 17-Dec 31-Dec 31-Dec
19-Nov 19-Nov
5-Nov 5-Nov
22-Oct 22-Oct
8-Oct 8-Oct
24-Sep 24-Sep
10-Sep 10-Sep
27-Aug 27-Aug
13-Aug 13-Aug
30-Jul 30-Jul
16-Jul 16-Jul
2-Jul 2-Jul
18-Jun 18-Jun
4-Jun 4-Jun
21-May 21-May
7-May 7-May
23-Apr 23-Apr
9-Apr 9-Apr
26-Mar
12-Mar
26-Feb
12-Feb
29-Jan
1-Jan
15-Jan
0.00
Average
DROUGHT RESPONSE PLAN STAGE 3 – VERY DRY CONDITIONS ACTIVITY
AGRICULTURAL
PUBLIC
COMMERCIAL
RESIDENTIAL
Lawn and gardening sprinkling. (a) Manual sprinkling (b) Sprinklers w/Automatic Timers (c) Hand-held sprinkling (d) Micro or drip irrigation
RESTRICTION DETAILS (a) One day per week: 6 am to 10 am & 7 pm to 12 midnight. (b) One day per week between 12 midnight and 6 am. (c) Anytime. (d) Anytime.
New (non-established) lawns.
No new permits issued. Renewals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Pools, spas, garden ponds, fountains and water features.
Filling and refilling is prohibited.
Private outdoor impermeable surfaces (i.e. driveways, sidewalks).
Hosing only for significant health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for sealing or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.
Private pressure washing.
Private pressure washing is prohibited.
Car washing and boat washing.
No washing or rinsing of vehicles and pleasure crafts, except for safety (windows, lights and licenses only) using a bucket with cloth or sponge.
Lawn and aesthetic gardening sprinkling (including cemeteries).
One day per week between 7 pm and 6 am.
New (non-established) lawns.
No new permits issued. Renewals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Flowers, vegetables, decorative planters, shrubs and trees for sale.
One day per week between 12 midnight and 6 am.
Pools, spas, garden ponds.
Filling and refilling is prohibited.
Fountains and water features.
All shut down.
Outdoor impermeable surfaces (i.e. driveways, sidewalks and parkades).
Hosing only for significant health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for sealing or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.
Pressure washing.
Only for significant health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment. Use spring-loaded nozzle. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.
Car washing and boat washing.
No washing or rinsing of vehicles and pleasure crafts, except for safety (windows, lights and licenses only).
Commercial car washes.
No restrictions on the car washing operation. Use of recycled water is mandatory.
Golf courses.
Minimum levels required to maintain areas in useable condition. Voluntary reductions of up to 20% of allocation.
Stage THREE Water Restrictions Regional District of North Okanagan - Greater Vernon Water (RDNO – GVW) announces immediate STAGE 3 WATERING RESTRICTIONS for all customers. STAGE 3: Residential, Industrial, Commercial, Institutional and Recreational watering one (1) day per week on the following schedule: Addresses ending in:
Schedule
0
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3 and 4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6 and 7
Thursday
8 and 9
Friday
SPRINKLING IS NOT PERMITTED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 AM AND 7:00 PM Watering Hours: Automatic Sprinklers
Manual Sprinklers
12 midnight – 6 am
6am - 10am and 7pm - 12 midnight
PLEASE NOTE: • Watering with watering cans, hand held hose with a spring loaded shut off nozzle, or drip / micro irrigation systems is allowed anytime.
Turf farms.
No restrictions. Voluntary 20% reduction is recommended.
• Installing new high water use landscaping is discouraged and should be avoided during the hottest months to ensure survival of plants. No new watering exemptions will be issued and renewals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks (i.e. Bicycle, motorcycle and running tracks.)
Hosing for health and safety only.
• Filling and refilling pools, spas, ponds or fountains is prohibited.
School yards, sports and sandbased playing fields.
Minimum levels required to maintain areas in useable condition.
• Cleaning driveways, sidewalks, or other impermeable outdoor surfaces with a hose or pressure washer is prohibited except for health and safety purposes.
Water play parks and pools.
No restrictions on water play parks with user-activated switches. Request longer backwash times for other pools.
Fountains and water features.
All shut down.
Municipal parks.
One day per week between 7 pm and 6 am.
Municipal ornamental lawns, grassed boulevards.
One day per week between 7 pm and 6 am
Municipal hydrant flushing.
Only for unscheduled safety or public health reason. No routine flushing.
Crop irrigation
Voluntary reductions of up to 20% of allocation requested during Stage 3.
• Vehicle (cars, boats, etc.) washing is prohibited except for safety (windows, lights, and license plates) can be washed with a bucket and cloth/sponge. • Agricultural users are asked to voluntarily reduce their irrigation by 20% of their allocation. Due to the uncertainty of the weather, RDNO – GVW is unsure when these restrictions will be removed. The conditions have stressed the available storage creating a critical situation. If you require additional information or water conservation advice please call: REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN GREATER VERNON WATER 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 2K9 Phone: 250 550-3700 Fax: 250 550-3701 www.rdno.ca