Lower Trent Conservation (LTC) has declared a Level II Low Water Condition for its watershed region after months of significantly reduced rainfall. This replaces the Level I notice issued on August 8.
Environment Canada reports only 106.5 millimetres of rain fell in Trenton from June through August which is just 49 per cent of the seasonal norm of 220 millimetres. Streamflows in several local creeks, including Rawdon, Trout and Hoards (Squires), have dropped below critical thresholds, prompting the new designation. LTC staff caution that drought conditions may persist in the coming weeks and they will continue to monitor the situation.
Under a Level II Low Water Condition, residents, businesses, industries and municipalities are asked to voluntarily cut water use by 20 per cent. Non-essential uses, such as lawn watering or vehicle washing, should be suspended until natural water supplies recover. Holders of a provincial Permit to Take Water are also asked to reduce their withdrawals by 20 per cent.
LTC encourages simple conservation measures such as installing rain barrels for gardens, checking wells regularly and limiting outdoor water use. Rural residents relying on private systems are urged to monitor their water supply and review Ministry of Environment guidance on managing wells during shortages.
Municipal systems drawing from Lake Ontario or the Bay of Quinte remain more stable and are not directly affected by current low water levels.
More information on Ontario’s Low Water Response program, including a reporting form for residents to share low water observations, is available at www.LTC.on.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
