Why we have outdoor water restrictions
Wrenford gets most of its drinking water from the Tamsin River and the Ambrel Lake stormwater system. During hot, dry summer months, water use jumps because of outdoor watering, car washing, and filling pools. To keep enough pressure for your home and for firefighters, the City uses a staged system under the Water and Wastewater By-law 2017-090. When demand gets high, we move up a stage. When things cool down or rainfall returns, we step back down.
How the stages work
There are four stages. You will see alerts on the Service Alerts page when a stage starts or ends.
Stage 1: Moderate demand
Lawn watering is allowed on a set schedule. Even-numbered addresses can water on Saturday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Sunday mornings during the same hours. Automatic sprinkler timers are only allowed from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. You must use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle for all outdoor watering and washing.
Stage 2: High demand
Outdoor watering is limited to two days a week. Even-numbered addresses get Tuesday and Thursday; odd-numbered addresses get Wednesday and Friday. The hours stay the same (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.). Automatic timers are restricted to 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on allowed days only. Filling pools, washing driveways, and power washing are no longer permitted.
Stage 3: Critical demand
Only one day a week is allowed for lawn watering. Even-numbered addresses get Friday; odd-numbered addresses get Saturday. Hours remain 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. All non-essential outdoor washing stops. Only hand-held hoses with an automatic shut-off nozzle or drip irrigation are allowed.
Stage 4: Emergency
All outdoor watering stops until further notice. This stage is rare and only used when the water system is under extreme stress or during a major infrastructure failure. Essential water use for health, safety, and sanitation continues.
What you can water without restrictions
You can water trees, shrubs, and flower beds on any day from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. using a sprinkler. You can water them at any time using a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, a soaker hose, a watering can, or drip irrigation. Edible plants like vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all scheduling rules and can be watered anytime with a hand-held hose or drip system.
Smart Irrigation Certification
If your property has an automatic irrigation system, you can apply for Smart Irrigation Certification. Certified sites can continue watering on a reduced schedule during Stages 1 to 3. To qualify, your system must have a weather-sensing controller, a rain or moisture sensor, and a flow sensor. You will need a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor to inspect the system and submit an application to the Water & Wastewater team by email. Certified sites must show a 25 per cent reduction in water use each year compared to a baseline timer schedule. If you do not have an automatic system, you can still save water by using water conservation tips and a hand-held hose.
Boil water advisories
Water restrictions manage supply, but a boil water advisory is about safety. If a break in a water main or equipment failure happens, we may issue an advisory. You will see a door knocker on your house and a notice on the Service Alerts website. You must bring water to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking, brushing your teeth, or making ice. The advisory is lifted once lab tests confirm the water is safe, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
For more information, see Leisure guide fall 2022.
Questions or need help?
If you have questions about your watering schedule, how to read your meter, or how to apply for an exemption, contact the Water Operations team. You can call 519-555-0100 or email [email protected]. Patrick Nguyen, Water Operations Manager, can also help you understand how to adjust your irrigation system to meet the current stage.