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Pro-active water conservation encouraged

The City of Williams Lake is taking a pro-active approach to water conservation.

With the region, like much of B.C., experiencing extremely dry conditions over the summer, the City of Williams Lake is taking a pro-active approach to water conservation and leading by example, says city officials.

In early August, the city started reducing its water consumption by 30 per cent in city parks and asked residents to do the same when watering their lawns and gardens until sprinkling restrictions are lifted on Sept. 30.

Although aquifer water levels have remained stable, reducing consumption will proactively ensure they remain so, reports the city.

The city monitors the aquifer monthly,.

August numbers should be available soon.

So far the city hasn’t seen a decline in the aquifer providing water to Williams Lake, but residents are asked to reduce their water consumption as a proactive measure.

The Water Wise program which the city supports in conjunction with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society has many ideas for reducing water consumption available on their website at http://teggiev.wix.com/cccs#!water-wise/c7ss

For instance one section of the Water Wise site offers 100 ways to save water in everyday activities, many of them beyond the normal call for shorter showers and flushing toilets only when needed, and buying water smart appliances.

For instance wash vegetables in a bowl and save that water to water house plants.

Use old fish tank water on house plants as it is high in nitrogen and phosphorous.

Wash your pet outdoors in an area that needs water.

Bathe young children together.

Insulate hot water pipes.

Use only one glass in a day to drink water from, thereby cutting down on the dishwashing.

Learn about plants that require the least amount of water and plant trees, shrubs, or ground covers instead of more grass.

Use a bucket of water to wash your car instead of a hose.

Use a broom, not a hose to clean the driveway.

Only water lawns for 30 minutes twice a week.

Mow lawns less and set lawnmower blades to five to eight centimetres high so less water will evaporate from the lawn.

Wash dishes by hand using one bowl for soap and the other for rinse water.