Armstrong moves to elevated watering restrictions

ARMSTRONG – Armstrong residents are being told to cut back on water use.

The city has implemented stage two water restrictions, which means residents can’t use sprinklers or irrigation systems to water lawns, gardens trees or shrubs. Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots or exterior building surfaces is also banned, according to a notice on the city’s website.

The restrictions come in response to the declaration of a level four drought for the South Thompson watershed due to declining stream flows affecting fish populations.

“Continued normal water withdrawals from the watershed will add to already stressful conditions therefore the province has written to all water license holders requesting efforts to reduce water use,” the city says.

During stage two restrictions, watering can be done by hand with a container or a hose with a shut off nozzle, but only during prescribed watering days and hours.

The restrictions apply to all residents of the City of Armstrong, Highland Park, Stardel, Silver Star, Lansdowne Water Districts, other Spallumcheen residents, and Pleasant Valley and Round Prairie specified areas.

Even numbered addresses may water by hand on even days of the calendar, and odd addresses on odd days of the calendar. Hand watering may occur between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.