By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter - Lethbridge News Now photo credit

Better Response to Water Shortages with New Rationing Plan

Feb 29, 2016 | 4:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE – In the face of possible water shortages this summer, Lethbridge City Council will be reviewing a new Water Rationing Action Plan.

Council was briefed on the plan, that would alter the current Water Services Bylaw, at Monday’s Community Issues Committee meeting.

The current bylaw already penalizes those who contaminate or tamper with the city’s water supply, but the proposed changes would extend to water shortages.

It would work witihin five different stages. Each stage would have a specific reduction target attached to it and would be initiated depending on how severe the shortage is.

It would also provide a clear plan for how residents need to reach the targets, while also imposing harsher penalties for those who don’t comply. Fines begin at $100 in stage one, and can go up to $500 in the case of a severe emergency.

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Waste and Storm Water Manager, Doug Kaupp, says the city is already well versed in short term emergencies, and now need to focus on rare long-term issues.

“[Long-term water emergencies] are really identified in the context of a much bigger region. The province would have a big role, as well as other stakeholders. This isn’t something that we’re familiar with. If we were to experience something like California or lower mainland BC where it goes on for a long time, it’s going to be a different game.”

In the face of a warm, dry forecast, Kaupp says he’d rather the city be proactive in its approach rather than reactive.

The new Water Service Bylaw passed second and third reading on May 2, 2016, putting new rules, regulations and fines into effect.