Due to recent heavy rains, Mission and Abbotsford have relaxed their water-use restrictions.
Over 330 mm of rain fell on Dickson Lake, the municipalities’ water source, from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, according to the district.
Because of how much the lake’s water level has risen, some lawn watering will now be allowed.
Water use restrictions are now dropped down to Stage 2, from the Stage 3 restrictions that were in place since June 29.
Stage 2 allows lawn sprinkling twice a week, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Even-numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and odd-numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays.
New permits will once again be issued to property owners with newly seeded or sodded lawns who wish to water daily.
On July 3, the Dickson Lake water level was at 634.8 m, by Aug 29 it hit a yearly low of 632.1 m. As of Sept 15 it had risen to 634.2 m.
“With the recent precipitation, the level at Dickson Lake has risen to a point where we are no longer concerned,” said Tracy Kyle, Mission’s director of engineering and public works.
“However, we will continue to monitor the recharge at Dickson Lake over the coming weeks and residents are reminded that Stage 2 restrictions will remain in place until September 30.”
Stage 2 restrictions were adopted from May 1 to Sept. 30 this year, one month earlier than the usual period of June 1 to Sept. 30, due to a smaller-than-usual winter snow pack.