Parts of northern B.C. asked to restrict water use as drought level raised

VICTORIA – People in parts of northern British Columbia are being asked to voluntarily reduce water consumption because it has been warm and dry.

The Peace, Upper Fraser East and Upper Fraser West areas are listed at Level 3 drought conditions, which requires all surface-water and groundwater users including municipalities, farmers and industry to reduce their consumption.

A similar drought warning was also issued for the south Boundary region, including the Kettle and Granby rivers.

The provincial government says stream levels across much of northern B.C. have dropped and, while some larger rivers still have normal streamflows, their tributaries have dropped to levels of concern for fish and ecosystems.

The government says larger systems, such as the Nechako, are not affected but that could change if dry conditions prevail.

The government says if voluntary reductions don’t maintain flows above critical levels, it may consider regulating water usage.

The province says people can conserve water by limiting outdoor watering, taking shorter showers, and installing more efficient shower heads, taps and toilets, while farmers can check for leaks in their irrigation systems and focus watering on high-value crops and livestock.