Greenwood residents are being advised to watch out for new water restrictions when they water their lawns this summer.
At the June 13 meeting of council, city councillors approved the Sprinkling Restrictions 2016. The restrictions fall under Water Regulation Bylaw 687, which allows the city to restrict water consumption and regulate hours of use.
The new restrictions are as follows: sprinkling lawns and gardens between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. is prohibited. Sprinklers running between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. should not hit objects or cause excessive noise. Residents who repeatedly water during prohibited hours or run their sprinklers without pause all night will be subject to the city shutting off their water, with a $30 re-connection charge applying.
Acting Chief Administrative Officer Wendy Higashi suggested running sprinklers on a timer, or avoiding running the sprinklers and going to sleep to prevent them from being on all-night without pause.
These restrictions are replacing the old restrictions that prohibit sprinkling between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
According to a memo to council, the old restrictions caused a number of issues.
“Residents that work out of town [were] unable to water in the morning,” she wrote. “A number of properties are unable to water between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.”
She later explained that many properties get too much direct sunlight during those hours to water effectively.
Higashi said the motion was being updated because under the old water restrictions, all properties were watering at the same time, leading to shortages. She added it has been years since the bylaw was last changed.
This restriction is in effect for the City of Greenwood, as well as the north end of Greenwood and Anaconda.
“I think this will be a lot more effective,” Higashi said.
“People need to water when it is effective. What’s the sense of watering in the heat?”