Indoor Water Use Tips Outdoor Water Use Tips Conservation Rebates
The City of Campbell River, with its surrounding rivers and lakes, has an abundance of fresh water. However, like all natural resources, this water is finite. As the population of Campbell River grows, so does our water demand.
The City has a licence through the Ministry of Land, Forests and Natural Resources to withdraw water from John Hart Lake. This licence limits how much water can be drawn from the lake, our primary water source. Reducing our individual water use helps ensure we do not exceed this limit.
Focusing on water conservation helps to:
In 2022, the average residential water use in Campbell river was 454 litres, per person, per day. This is more than 1.8 times the national average. However, Campbell River's water uses doubles during July and August, peaking in the mornings and evenings.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50 per cent of water use at home during the summer months. In Campbell River, we calculate outdoor water user by dividing peak summer demand by the annual daily average. Of this outdoor water use, lawn watering is the biggest contributor.
It is important that we focus on reducing water use during peak demand periods. In July 2009, consumption increased above 1,200 litres per second. This demand compromised the firefighting water capacity. After, we introduced a sprinkling water ban between July 31 and August 7 in 2009. Daily peaks disappeared and consumption dropped, establishing adequate water capacity for firefighting.
To reduce this peak demand, there are water restrictions in place from May to September each year.
Without water metres on all properties, it is difficult to measure and assess the leak in the water distribution system. However, we are able to estimate based on the over all age and type of material used in our water distribution system. This information, along with the Environment Canada 2011 Municipal water use report, gives us an estimated loss of 13.3 per cent.
The lack of water metres on all properties also make it difficult to find leak locations. The City is currently developing a leak detection system, to address this issue. In addition, we are replacing aging water mains and improving water system pressure management, to reduce leaks.
The City takes a number of steps to reduce our water use. This includes:
During watering restrictions, the City does reduce irrigation to parks and sports fields. Fields with high usage are watered regularly, however, to decrease the change of permanent die-off. We are constantly working to balance water conservation with protecting these high-value assets.