THUNDER BAY — Dry weather this spring has led to the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority declaring a Level II Low Water Condition for the Thunder Bay area.
The last time this happened was in 2012.
A Level II declaration means there are minor water supply problems, with the potential for major supply problems, and is based on criteria set by the province as well as on observed conditions. Level III, the maximum, would be declared in the event of a more serious water supply shortage.
"In the three month period from March to May, the Lakehead Watershed has received only 33 per cent of the average precipitation expected over that period," said LRCA Chair Donna Blunt.
Fifty-four millimetres of precipitation was recorded in area water gauges during that time compared with the normal average of 165 millimetres.
"It is predicted that the low water condition will likely continue into the summer, as the long term forecasts are predicting above average temperatures and below average precipitation," Blunt said.
The LRCA is recommending that water users voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 per cent.
It said rural residents who obtain their drinking water from wells should monitor their supplies and consider reducing their usage accordingly.
