Government asking British Columbians to reduce water use amid ‘abnormally dry’ summer

As the heat of summer bears down, the provincial government says it’s taking “proactive steps” to prepare for and respond to droughts, and it’s asking British Columbians to do the same.

Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Minister Randene Neill held a media event Monday morning, sharing the story of ranchers in the Nicola Valley voluntarily reducing their water use to avoid strict regulations for years.

“Their success is an example of what’s possible when we all work together and we get on the same page to reduce our water use. Voluntary conservation remains our first step,” said Neill.

The ministry says most weather stations across the province are reporting below normal to well-below normal stream flow.

“Voluntary conservation remains our first step, but when the stream flows drop to critical levels and vulnerable species are at risk, we also must consider regulatory action,” Neill explained.

She says protection orders are always issued as a last resort, but could be needed to protect critical fish and aquatic ecosystems.

Meanwhile, the minister says residents can do their part. Neill explains that residential water use makes up as much as 70 per cent of total use during the summer months.

“We’re asking everybody listening today to be able to do those tiny little things that they may think won’t make a difference, but it absolutely does so. For example, if you’re washing your fruit or vegetables, don’t do it in the sink; do it in a bowl, and then use that bowl and go dump it on your tomatoes or raspberries. Don’t wash your car every weekend. Don’t water your lawn every day. Follow the rules and restrictions that are put in place to voluntarily reduce water that will help conserve our water during August and September, when we typically have the highest level of drought conditions,” said Neill.

Several areas, including parts of northeastern B.C., central B.C., the Okanagan, and sections of the East and West Kootenays, are already in drought conditions according to the latest statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The province operates an online drought portal that shows 51.5 per cent of the province is classified under drought level 2, considered “abnormally dry.”

David Campbell with the BC River Forecast Centre says trouble started this year with a historically low snowpack. In April, he says the province was at 79 per cent normal rate.

“We ended the snow season about two to three weeks early. And what that means is that water that was available in the snowpack really has moved through the systems early, and that can contribute to pressure as we go through the latter part of the year,” said Campbell.

“We are seeing some at more adverse conditions this year in comparison to last year.”

For its part, the province says it is “investing in practical solutions and is working closely with First Nations, local governments, industry, and the agricultural sector to manage water wisely and protect long-term water security.”

Neill says a request for voluntary management is often more effective than strict regulations.

“We know that when we ask people and start that education early to understand that if they do this on a voluntary basis, because they know it’s the right thing to do to help prevent water scarcity in the summer, that they will continue to do it. If they’re forced to do it, they don’t want to do it.”