Smithers could have a water restriction bylaw in effect as early as this summer.
“We have lots of water now, but I think it behooves us to think well, use it wisely and ensure we have enough water for the future,” says Deputy Mayor Gladys Atrill, who had the idea for the bylaw last year.
At this week’s meeting, town staff indicated that water usage has been dropping for over 20 years. However, they do say there’s an ongoing water capacity problem at the Watson’s Landing subdivision.
The bylaw calls for restrictions on residential lawn watering to every other day from June 15 through October 15 each year. That means odd number addresses can water on odd days of the month and even numbers on even days.
A second stage of the bylaw will have restrictions extended to filling swimming pools, cleaning driveways or watering flower gardens without an automatic shut-off hose.
A brand new lawn, preparing to paint a surface, home construction and golf courses are some of the exemptions of the bylaw.
Council also decided that those with their own water supply within town limits should also be exempt.
The bylaw will be back on the council agenda later this month for third reading.