Why do we have to conserve water when the Campbell River watershed is the second largest watershed on Vancouver Island?

Not all of the water in the Campbell River watershed is available for the residents of the City of Campbell River. The City of Campbell River has a license for withdrawing a certain amount of water from John Hart Lake via the BC Hydro penstocks.

Water conservation in Campbell River is about using our system efficiently, saving on operating costs and deferring construction of new facilities until they are really needed.

We are known as the “Wet Coast”, why should we worry about saving water?

The pattern of rainfall is a wet spring, fall, winter, and a dry summer. Average water consumption in summer is three times the winter use. According to statistics for North American cities, approximately 80 to 90 percent of this is for garden and lawn irrigation.

Why doesn’t the City just build more capacity to accommodate the increased summer consumption? View Peak Period Water Use Statistics

There are three main reasons.

1. The biggest reason is cost: It would cost millions of dollars to increase capacity. Federal and provincial funding for capital expenditures is only available to municipalities with a water conservation program in place. Until we can show we are using water efficiently, lowering peak periods and annual consumption, the cost would have to be borne by the population of Campbell River.

2. At $13 per household per month, regardless of amount used, the current rate covers operating costs, but it would not pay for new infrastructure.

3. It is possible to defer such a costly system upgrade. High use periods occur only during summer peak periods and using water wisely can decrease consumption without affecting lifestyle, which means new infrastructure is not yet required. (See Water consumption outdoors and indoors).

What are peak periods?

Peak periods are parts of the day and year when consumption increases. This is in the hot summer mornings (6 am – 10 am) when people are showering, sprinkling and using water and the highest peak in the evening (7 pm to 11 pm) when people are at home cooking, bathing, doing laundry and have their sprinklers on.

Does residential water use affect fire fighting?

A specific amount of water is needed to put out fires. It is possible for residential consumption to peak so high that there is no more water that can be delivered in the system and no water left for fire-fighting. If the water system isn’t able to provide the water needed for consumption and emergency use, fire-fighting water would have to be supplied by tanker trucks.

How do we know the peak water demand is due to residential sprinkler use?

Statistics from North American Cities indicate that 80 to 90 percent of the summer increase in water consumption is due to lawn and garden irrigation. In Campbell River, indirect evidence is available by comparing daily water use patterns in hot weather. During a heat wave in July 2009, consumption increased above 1,200 litres per second and fire fighting water capacity was compromised. When a sprinkling watering ban was introduced between July 31 and August 7 in 2009, the daily peaks disappeared and consumption dropped, establishing adequate water capacity for firefighting.

How much water is lost to leaks in the system?

Without metres on all properties, it is difficult to accurately measure leaks in the distribution system. Due to age and material type of the overall distribution system national research allows us to estimate that the distribution system has overall leakage of approximately 15%.

What is done to address system leaks?

Without meters on all properties, it is difficult to accurately determine leak locations and measure water loss. The city is developing a leak detection program and expects to have detection and repair underway in 2011. The city is also replacing aging water mains and improving water system pressure management to reduce leaks.