Whitemans Creek and Lower Nith sub-watersheds move to Level 2 low water condition

Water users in parts of Brant County and Oxford County are being asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent due to continued dry conditions. The rest of the Grand River watershed remains in a Level 1 condition.

The call for the reduction came from the Grand River Low Water Response Team, which met in a conference call on Thursday. With the lack of rain, stream flows have continued to drop in the Whitemans Creek and Lower Nith sub-watersheds, prompting the team to move these areas to Level 2.

Under the Ontario Low Water Response Program, Level 1 results in a request for a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water consumption by all water users. Level 2 conditions are declared when flows in a river or stream drop to less than 50 per cent of normal, which triggers the request for a voluntary reduction in water use of 20 per cent.

The request for the reduction affects water users in these sub-watersheds:

• Whitemans Creek: This creek drains western Brant County and eastern Oxford County.
• Lower Nith River: While this river drains a larger area, the lower Nith River sub-watershed which includes parts of western Brant County and eastern Oxford County is of greatest concern.

In addition, it is recommended that anglers refrain from fishing in Whitemans Creek, which is an important trout habitat. Low water levels and warm water temperatures can put the fish population under stress, which can be compounded by fishing.

The GRCA’s large reservoirs are within their normal operating range for this time of year, except Conestogo Lake reservoir, which is being drawn down to accommodate concrete repair on the upstream side of the Conestogo Dam. The GRCA is operating these reservoirs carefully to meet flow targets downstream, while keeping water in storage to continue to support flow augmentation. This augmentation helps municipalities that get some, or all, of their drinking water from the Grand River including the Region of Waterloo and the City of Brantford. Six Nations of the Grand River also gets some of its drinking water from the Grand River. Water from these reservoirs also supports the proper operation of sixteen wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the Grand, Speed and Conestogo rivers. The conditions of the reservoirs are being closely monitored.

Water conservation urged

The most significant action that residents can take to conserve water is to limit outdoor water use according to local bylaws, even if they have private water sources. The aquifers that feed Whitemans Creek and the Lower Nith also feed many wells and dug ponds in the area. Water withdrawn from wells and ponds can reduce the amount of water that makes its way into the creek. Therefore, it is important that all water users help to conserve water.

More information on the Ontario Low Water Response Program and suggested actions that major water users can take to help conserve water is available on the Low Water Response section of the GRCA website.

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Media Contacts:

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Director of Strategic Communications and Environmental Education
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca

Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing
Phone (519) 621-2763 x2240  |  Email scatania@grandriver.ca