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Water Conservation
These are the Water Conservation Regulations in our Utilities Bylaw 1283/17, as amended.
8. WATER CONSERVATION:
8.1 The Primary Water Conservation Strategy, as stated below, must be complied with at all times, for all Town of Nanton water Consumers:
8.1.1 All outdoor water use, including watering lawns, washing cars, sidewalks, pads, exteriors of buildings, recreational use of sprinklers and like water toys, is permitted; however, the civic address of a premises shall determine the days on which watering may be conducted.
(a) Addresses ending with an odd number may water on Thursdays and Sundays.
(b) Addresses ending with an even number may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
8.1.2 Outdoor water use may only occur between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., in accordance with 8.1.1(a) and 8.1.1(b).
8.1.3 Flowerbeds and vegetable gardens may be watered by hand, at any time, using a watering can or a hose with a nozzle with a trigger shut off to restrict water flow. Sprinklers and like water toys may be used for recreational purposes by children as long as children are present during use. Children’s pools (capacity not more than 1000 litres) may be used.
8.1.4 Requests for site and condition specific irrigation scheduling for commercial or industrial operations using metered irrigation systems may be approved by the CAO.
8.2 Where conditions exist that Council or the CAO determines that there needs to be reduced water usage, for any reason whatsoever, the Council or the CAO may impose an Emergency Water Restriction - Level 1, prohibiting all outdoor water use (e.g. washing cars, sidewalks, pads, exteriors of buildings and lawns), excepting:
8.2.1 Flowerbeds and vegetable gardens may be watered by hand, at any time, using a watering can or a hose with a nozzle with a trigger shut off to restrict water flow.
8.2.2 Requests for site and condition specific watering by commercial or industrial operations using metered hand watering or continually monitored systems for the establishment and protection of new plant material, including trees, may be approved by the CAO.
8.2.3 Bulk water sales are suspended.
8.3 In the event that conditions arise that imperil the municipal water supply or its distribution, the Council or the CAO may impose an Emergency Water Restriction – Level 2, whereby, without exception:
8.3.1 All outdoor water use is prohibited.
8.3.2 Household and non-residential use is controlled through district flow restrictions (reduced pressures subject to Fire Services review and approval).
8.3.4 The CAO will seek agreement on reduction of water consumption with major non-residential water consumers.
8.4 No person shall use any water from the water works system in contravention of the terms of any order made by the CAO under this section.
8.5 The conservation or restrictions may include the regulation, restriction or prohibition of the use of water supplied by the Town for consumers, raw water or bulk users, by any method including but not limited to restricting amounts supplied on an ongoing basis, closing off the water supply during certain times of the day, or totally prohibiting use of water by permanent closure of water supply valves for extended periods of time.
8.6 All plumbing fixtures, supply fitting and shower heads will be installed for either residential or non-residential premises in accordance with the current water efficiency requirements of the Canadian National Energy Code for Buildings, National Building Code and National Plumbing Code.
8.7 All consumers or persons are prohibited from wasting water at any time. Wasting water shall be defined as the unnecessary and/or excessive use of water, for any purpose whatsoever, as deemed by the Chief Administrative Officer, and may include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, these examples:
• Permitting an irrigation system to run during a rainstorm;
• Permitting water to pool or run-off any lawn, garden, or other outside plant;
• Directing water onto a paved surface, including driveways, sidewalks, or roadways during irrigation;
• Operating a fountain or pond without re-circulating water;
• Washing any vehicle or the outside of a building with the use of a hose not equipped with a shut-off nozzle;
• Use of flowing water instead of dry sweeping to remove loose debris from a residential driveway.
8.8 Any consumer or person who in the opinion of a Peace Officer charged with the enforcement of this Bylaw, wastes water supplied by the Town will be guilty of an offense under this bylaw. In determining if an activity constitutes wasting water, consideration will be given to the following:
• The volume of water reasonably required to perform the activity undertaken;
• The length of time that water has been allowed to run;
• The degree of control exercised over the flow of water;
• The purpose to which the water is being put;
• The degree of restriction on water consumption presently in place; and
• The existence of any other factors reasonably suggesting that waste of water is occurring or has occurred.
8.9 Exceptions to provisions, all or in part, of the conservation section of this Bylaw may be granted by Council by resolution.
8.9.1 The Town of Nanton Fire Department is exempted from the provisions of this conservation section of the bylaw in all cases excepting non-emergencies.
8.10 Consumers must possess a new lawn permit to be exempt from the water conservation or restriction provisions of this bylaw.
8.10.1 Applications for new lawn watering permits must be made in writing.
8.10.2 New lawn watering permits may be issued at the Town Office upon inspection and approval of the site by the Town.
8.10.3 New lawn watering permits will be valid for a maximum of six (6) weeks.
8.10.4 New lawn watering permits immediately become null and void upon imposition of any water restriction.
8.10.5 The CAO may revoke a new lawn permit at any time if it is deemed unnecessary in the opinion of the CAO.
Tips for Water Conservation
- Conserving water doesn't have to be difficult. Using the 4 R's of water conservation will reduce the amount of water your household is using.
- Reduce: Look for ways to use less water by becoming conscious of the amount you use and the amount you need.
- Retrofit: Place running toilets and fixtures with more water efficient models or retrofit your existing appliance with water saving devices
- Repair: Fix those current leaks. Most leaks are easily fixed by a simple task
- Reuse: Rather than running a tap to rinse or clean vegetables or dishes, try filling a basin or your sink to prevent unused water from being wasted. Rain water runoff is a great source for outdoor lawn, garden, and flowerbed watering.
Please visit the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Department for more information on water conversation in our province.
Finding Leaks
A good practice to get into the habit of is to take a walk around your home to checking for leaks. If your recent bill has spiked due to a leak please visit this page for more information on how we can help.
Water Meter
Use your water meter to help determine leaks. Record your meter reading in the late evening and again in the early morning or before and after any long period where there is no water use. If the meter dial has moved while there is no water being used, there is a leak somewhere.
Laundry Room
Do you ever hear that annoying water trickle when all the taps are turned off? If you are having trouble locating the source a good place to start might be the laundry room. Some older-style laundry tub taps have tubing that connects to the floor drain. Water should only trickle through the drain when the tap is turned on. A worn washer can allow the water to continue to flow to the floor drain and be the source of a leak.
Toilet
Toilets are famous for their hidden leaks, they can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day, undetected. A great way to test your toilet for leaks is to use food coloring. Place some food coloring in your toilet’s holding tank and wait for 15 to 30 minutes. If the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
Water Softener
Defective or older water softeners have been known to malfunction, causing excessive water use. Set the timer on your softener so you are aware of when it should be running. If you hear it at other times it may be operating unnecessarily and require maintenance.
Oldman Watershed Council
We are proud members of the Southern Alberta Water Charter
The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is a not-for-profit organization in Southern Alberta, Canada. We are one of 11 Watershed Advisory and Planning Councils in Alberta, mandated by the provincial government to provide an independent voice for watershed management and health under the Province's Water For Life strategy.
The specified penalties for any contravention of this Bylaw #1283/17 are specified for the calendar year, as follows:
First Offense: $250.00
Second Offense: $500.00
Third Offense: $1000.00
Contact Us
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After hour Emergency Utilities number:
If there is a water and/or waste water emergency please call to speak to worker on call.
Telephone: 403-312-2877