The collaboration of Laval citizens is requested to avoid the use of drinking water for outdoor activities
Published June 2, 2010
(TLN)
Due to the high temperatures and persistently low river levels of recent days, Laval could experience a drinking water level over the next few days. For this reason, the City of Laval is asking that citizens reduce their water consumption for some outdoor activities. Wasting water may lead to a severe pressure in some neighbourhoods, which could result in a water shortage.
Therefore, citizens are asked to refrain from watering their lawn, flower beds, washing their cars or filling their pools until further notice.
This request applies despite the current bylaw on lawn watering based on addresses. Please note that the lawn watering bylaw makes provisions for substantial fines for citizens who do not respect the watering schedule.
If the situation worsens or if the community effort is not sufficient, the City could be forced to take special measures and ban all outdoor use of drinking water throughout its territory.
More than 35% of the residential water consumption is for outdoor use (lawn watering, watering off driveways and washing vehicles). Lawn watering is the outdoor activity that requires the most water from the city’s three water production plants. Nearly half the water consumed during the summer is used for watering lawns. During the dog-days of summer, the city’s water plants work at maximum capacity.
Please note that this request does not apply to the daily water use for hygiene and food purposes.