Rain shortage in eastern Ontario means residents may have to cut water use

Over the past four months, there has been less than half of the normal rainfall in some eastern Ontario communities.

Thestar.com
Aug. 5, 2016
By The Canadian Press

BELLEVILLE, ONT.—Residents in some eastern Ontario communities may be asked to reduce their water use by 50 per cent as rainfall remains well below average.

The Quinte Conservation low water response team met Thursday in Belleville, Ont., and has declared a Level 3 low water condition, upgraded from the Level 2 condition implemented on July 12.

There has been less than half of the normal rainfall in the Belleville, Napanee and Picton areas over the past four months.

The low water response team approved a motion to ask municipalities to request their residents conserve their water by cutting use in half, up from the 20 per cent cut that was recommended last month.

Many rural residents and farmers depending on wells are finding that their water supplies have run dry, and have had to have water delivered by bulk carriers.