Media Release

August 16, 2007

Community encouraged to reduce non-essential water use

Kawartha Conservation advises that low precipitation within the Kawartha watershed during the past three months has triggered a Level 1 Low Water Condition.

The measure came into affect on August 16, following notification by the Ministry of Natural Resources, that oversees the Ontario Low Water Response program.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10% in order to avoid a potential water shortage. Kawartha Conservation and the Water Response Team are asking that activities such as lawn watering and car washing be reduced or discontinued.

Over the past three months rainfall levels in the Kawartha and neighbouring watersheds have fallen below the historical normal range. Information gathered at the Mariposa Brook gauge station indicates that rainfall for May, June and July totalled only 128.5 mm, about 60% of the historical average. In Blackstock, the gauge station recorded 190.9 mm of precipitation, approximately 59% of the historical average.

The Water Response Team, consisting of representatives of local water managers and water users, will meet in early September to determine a further course of action.

Kawartha Conservation is a watershed-based environmental organization focused on providing abundant clean water within a healthy landscape. It is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario providing natural resources management. The Kawartha watershed intersects portions of the City of Kawartha Lakes; Township of Scugog; Township of Brock; Municipality of Clarington; Township of Galway-Cavendish & Harvey; and Township of Cavan-Monaghan.

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For more information please contact:

Lezlie Goodwin, Communications Specialist 705.328.2271 ext 233 or lgoodwin@kawarthaconservation.com

Iryna Shulyarenko, Hydrologist 705.328.2271 ext 219 or ishulyarenko@kawarthaconservation.com