Water and Sewer Frequently Asked Questions 

Welcome to our Water and Sewer FAQ page. Here, you'll find essential information and resources related to your water and sewer services. Whether you're looking for answers about system maintenance, billing, or safety tips, we've got you covered. Our goal is to provide you with clear and helpful guidance to ensure a smooth experience with your water and sewer services.

Updates to the Water Bylaw

Stage 1 - Reduced watering. During this stage, the follow restrictions are in place:

  • Watering Restrictions: Watering of lawns, gardens, trees, or shrubs is permitted only between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM on designated days.
  • No Washing: Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, or exterior building surfaces is not allowed.

EXCEPTIONS to Water Restrictions include:

  • Newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables can be watered during installation and for the following 24-hour period.
  • New sod or newly seeded lawn can be watered during the first 7 days after installation on any day – but ONLY during the prescribed watering hours, being 7 am and 11 am.

    Please note: Persistent Non-compliance may result in fines.

Why Adjust Irrigation Hours?

We’re adjusting watering times to:

• Improve water efficiency

• Give some additional time time to replenish treated water supply

• Conserve the supply in raw water ponds


Based on community usage data, mornings were selected as the ideal window for watering to ensure that supply is available when people use it most in their homes (evenings). Watering outdoors during cooler times like mornings reduces evaporation losses and helps manage water supply more effectively, like when a majority of homes are using it for primary needs (e.g. dishwashing, baths/showers, laundry) in the evenings.

Shouldn't the Water Treatment Plant Be Running 24/7 Anyways?
During hot spells, our Water Treatment Plant needs to operate continuously to meet high water demand and ensure there is enough flow and supply for firefighting emergencies.  If there is a similar 24/7 demand on the water system from usage, it allows no room for equipment failure to occur.

Why Conserve Raw Water Ponds?
It’s important to keep the raw water ponds full for longer periods, to avoid pulling water from the river during times (Summer) when the water quality (not necessarily the level) is reduced and more intense to treat.  This also helps to save on treatment costs and maintain better water quality. 

I Pay a Water Bill, Shouldn’t I Be Able to Water When I Want?
The cost of providing potable water to residents (pumping, treating and distributing) is only partially, and minimally funded by user fees (the money collected from water bills).  Times of higher usage mean higher costs to run the system, while the amount of funds collected through water bills remains the same.  While the NRRM does receive grants for the water system they are exclusively for capital (to replace or expand equipment), no operational costs to operate the water system is covered.

I Don't Want a Dead Lawn Throughout Summer
Allowing lawns to go dormant during dry spells encourages deeper root growth, making grass more drought-tolerant and resilient. This natural process helps your lawn recover more effectively when conditions improve and reduces the need for excessive watering, conserving valuable resources.

My Business Depends on Water at All Hours

We understand that some businesses may require increased water use. We welcome your feedback and are open to discussing how we can balance conservation efforts with your needs.  Please contact us at pwmgmt@northernrockies.ca

The Spray Park Uses Water at All Hours, What is the Difference? 

Health standards require that the water in spray parks is at a drinking water standard,
and recirculating would require the Spray Park to have a stand-alone full water
treatment system which is extremely costly to operate and maintain for a seasonal asset.
Water usage is managed at the spray park with timers and motion sensors on the
equipment. Reduced hours are under consideration.


For more details on regulations, page 45 for Spray Pools: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/documents/pool_design_guidelines_oct_2021_v3_interim.pdf 

Thank you for your support as we work together to manage our water resources wisely!

 

Have something that hasn't been answered? Send questions to pwmgmt@northernrockies.ca