The Town of Sylvan Lake is currently experiencing reduced water levels in it's reservoir. This current dry spell combined with high temperatures is impacting available water. Wells only refill at a certain rate. That rate slows when conditions are dry and hot. If we use water faster than the wells can refill, we will enter restrictions.
Both the Town, and residents must act now to save water. We have seen Lakers pull together as a community for many other goals. The NexSource Centre and the Spray Park are examples of Lakers working together to bring the impossible to life. We believe in our community’s ability to successfully meet this challenge with kindness, positivity, and success.
What is next?
We are calling on all Lakers, both businesses and residents, to protect our water supply. We hope that this will be enough to avoid a formal water restriction. Using water efficiently and eliminating wasteful water usage can mean the difference between going into a restriction or remaining under water conservation.
How should Lakers reduce water use?
- Follow water conservation rules: sylvanlake.ca/conservewater
- Reduce flushing: “if it’s yellow let it mellow”
- Save water in your home: sylvanlake.ca/savewater
- How you can help save water: alberta.ca/drought-how-can-you-help
How is the Town reducing its water use?
- Temporary suspension of water intensive operations:
- Flushing water, sewer, storm mains and lift stations
- Temporarily suspending the commissioning of new water mains
- Sidewalk washing
- Street sweeping
- Using previously harvested rainwater to water flowers
- Spray park operating on reduced hours (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Why is water low?
- The lowered levels are due to a reduced refill rate in several of our wells
- Our wells depend on water from an aquifer that is part of the Paskapoo formation. This aquifer is filled by glacial run off, snow, snow melt, rain, sleet, and hail
- Alberta is experiencing a long-term drought. This means that even though we had a period of rainy weather, it is not enough to catch up