Drought Information

Battle River ValleyWater is a precious resource and every drop counts.

While the Town of Ponoka is not facing any water restrictions right now, being mindful of our water use is important. Below-average water levels across the province remind us not to take our drinking water for granted.

That is why local citizens are encouraged to continue to voluntarily reduce their water use. Thanks to our community's great habits, many of you are already making every drop count. 

To learn more about current conditions and what you can do to conserve water, please click on the links below:

To view the current conditions in the Town of Ponoka, please visit the Government of Alberta website by clicking here.

Please note that the Town of Ponoka monitors the conditions in collaboration with provincial authorities and our regional partners. 

The Town of Ponoka's drinking water comes from the Red Deer River. It is first treated at the Red Deer Water Treatment Plant and arrives in Ponoka through the regional water line. The regional water line is operated by North Red Deer River Water Services Commission. The regional water line also connects with Blackfalds and Lacombe.

Kitchen

  • Fill a bowl to rinse fruit and vegetables instead of running a tap.
  • Keep drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap for a cold drink.
  • Soak pots and pans rather than running water to remove stuck-on food.
  • Run the dishwasher for a full load only.

Bathroom

  • Turn off the tap when you’re shaving or brushing your teeth.
  • Take shorter showers. Invest in a showerhead flow restrictor.
  • Upgrade to a low-flow toilet, or retro-fit with a toilet dam or displacement device.
  • Check toilet for leaks and only flush when necessary.

Laundry

  • Wash laundry only with full loads.

Landscaping

  • Use drought-tolerant plants, trees and shrubs in your landscaping and reduce water use with permeable (bark or wood chips) mulch.
  • Use compost to enrich your soil, prevent erosion and conserve water. 

Watering

  • Instead of running a tap, collect run-off with a rain barrel and use that water on your yard instead.
  • Water your lawn in the evening hours to avoid peak sunshine and daytime heat; this slows water from evaporating and instead encourages it to soak into your lawn or gardens.
  • Hand-water your garden instead of running a sprinkler.
  • Water deeply once a week instead of lightly with more frequency.

Lawn Mowing

  • Set your mower blade between two and three inches tall. 
  • Leave grass clippings on your lawn. This will help to slow water evaporation and provide a natural fertilizer for your lawn.

Cars and Boats

  • Washing your car can use up to 500 litres of water; instead, turn off the hose while scrubbing, or consider using products that don’t require water or rinsing. 

Pools and Hot tubs

  • Keep pools and hot tubs covered when not in use to reduce evaporation.

Pressure Washing

  • Sweep your sidewalks, patios and driveways instead of washing with a hose or pressure washer.

The Town is practising good water stewardship by reducing and reusing water in the following ways: 

  • Low-Flow Nozzles at the Spray Park
    • The Spray Park uses low-flow nozzles to reduce water consumption.

  • Re-using Water for Plants and Flowers
    • Holding tanks below the Spray Park capture most of the water used at the facility, which is then dechlorinated and reused to water trees, plants and flowers around town. Any residual water drains into local waterways.

  • Recirculating Water at the Ponoka Aquaplex
    • The Aquaplex water circulation system filters and recirculates the water, which significantly reduces water used and operating costs at the facility.

  • High Efficiency Ice Making
    • A new high-efficiency ice plant was installed at the Ponoka Arena Complex in 2021, which greatly reduces the amount of water used throughout the ice season.

  • Moisture Sensor for Irrigation 
    • The in-ground irrigation system at the Lucas Heights soccer fields in Ponoka uses moisture sensors to ensure that watering only happens when the fields need it. For example, during rainy weather, the irrigation system is not activated.

For up-to-date provincial drought information, please visit the Government of Alberta's website by clicking here.