FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2017
LOW WATER WARNINGS ENDED FOR QUINTE CONSERVATION WATERSHEDS – BUT LEVELS STILL NOT BACK TO NORMAL
Recent rainfall and improved stream flows mean the Quinte Conservation watersheds are no longer in a Low Water Condition warning. Quinte Conservation General Manager Terry Murphy says, “Removing the warning does not mean that water supply levels have returned to normal for all people in the watershed. We are still hearing reports that some residents have wells that are dry or extremely low. There is a concern for wells that remain low or dry during the winter months, as they may not recover until the spring.”
Murphy adds, “We are still concerned for the water levels in the area and will continue to monitor precipitation and stream flows. We will need a lot of snow over the winter and a good spring runoff to return our groundwater supplies to their normal conditions.”
The Quinte Conservation watersheds have been in low water conditions since the beginning of June 2016. The area was in the most severe low water condition, Level 3, from August until December. Low water conditions are ranked as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on a prolonged period of low flows or precipitation.
Quinte Conservation encourages residents and businesses to continue to use water wisely. Information on water conservation can be found on the Quinte Conservation website at www.quinteconservation.ca.