Drought Information

Water is a precious resource and every drop counts. While mandatory water-use restrictions are not in place in the Town of Ponoka, local citizens are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water use. You can find suggestions on how to reduce water use and save money on your water bill below, under "Voluntary Water Use Reductions".

Across Alberta water levels are down, and some areas are experiencing drought conditions. The Government of Alberta released its Provincial Drought Response Plan in April, which guides municipalities and Water Service Commissions through a series of responses to the various stages of drought.

For more details about provincial drought information, click the link below.

Alberta is currently in water shortage management stage 4 (out of 5), where multiple water management areas are impacted by water shortages.

 

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

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 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.


Voluntary Water Use Reductions – Normal to Dry Conditions

Important Notes

These actions are all voluntary, with the additional benefit of saving you money on your water bill. 

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

  • Hand-water your garden instead of running a sprinkler.
  • 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. 
  • Water deeply once a week instead of lightly with more frequency.
  • Instead of running a tap, Collect run-off with a rain barrel and use that water on your yard instead=.

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.