Despite Dawson Creek’s reservoirs reaching 90 to 100 per cent of their capacity, the city is extending its state of local emergency as the stored water supply will not last all winter.
At the most recent city council meeting, Kevin Henderson, the city of Dawson Creek’s chief administrative officer, said recent snowfall has boosted the Kiskatinaw River’s supply. This autumn snow will provide anywhere from 150 to 180 days of stored water, depending on how it is used, Henderson said.
Residents are still subject to stage 3 water restrictions, which means water should be limited to “essential needs only,” the city said. However, during the winter, some older properties have additional needs which can use up to 1000 extra cubic metres of water.
“Our demand is going to go up a little bit here in the coming months because we have what’s called metre valves here in the city,” explained Henderson to council.
Shallow surfaces at risk of freezing require a small stream of water during the colder months to prevent ice from forming. Only some properties in the city have flat surfaces like this, and they have been there for decades.
Looking ahead, the city has been working with the province to be allowed to pump additional water, if necessary, this winter – and their funding application will be supported by the B.C. government. Currently, Henderson said, the city is ironing out the details and working on a permit application for the short-term water withdrawals from the Peace River.
“The good news is we’re not in bad shape right now. We’re getting everything in place because at some point, in the winter or early spring, we will be in a spot where we will need to pump,” he explained.
This state of local emergency was extended until the day after the city council’s next meeting, Nov. 25.
