Low Water Response
Drought-like conditions in Ontario in the late 1990s prompted the province to establish the Ontario Low Water Response Plan.
This plan allows for Conservation Authorities to establish and coordinate a watershed based Water Response Team. This team consists of municipal, agriculture, industry and business, recreation and government representatives from the Lower Trent watershed region. The team assesses current precipitation and streamflow conditions in the watershed and responds in various ways to conserve our water resources.
The response could range from issuing communications that advocate water conservation practices to making recommendations to the Province concerning water allocations.
A watershed is considered to be in drought conditions if it is experiencing:
- below normal levels of precipitation over an extended period of time
- streamflows that are at a minimum required to sustain aquatic life
- low water conditions that are causing socio-economic effects
The response plan outlines three levels of drought:
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Indicators |
Action
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Level I
Potential for water supply problems is identified.
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Precipitation: less than 80% monthly average
Streamflow: less than 70% of lowest summer monthly average
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Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10%. |
Level II
Minor water supply issues are encountered - potential for major supply problems.
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Precipitation: less than 60% monthly average
Streamflow: less than 50% of lowest summer monthly average
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There is the potential for major supply problems. Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20%.
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Level III
Supply no longer meets demand - social & economic impacts are experienced.
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Precipitation: less than 40% long range average
Streamflow: less than 30% of lowest summer monthly average
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Voluntary measures have not produced the necessary response. Restrictions proposed by the Water Response Team and approved by the Government of Ontario will be put into action. |