With the sun cranking up the heat, Calgarians are encouraged to stay cool, stay safe and make every drop count. Don’t forget to sip water often, take shady breaks and cool off at one of Calgary’s many spray parks.
Hot days also mean higher outdoor water use, particularly from lawn and yard watering, which can increase water demand by 30 to 40 per cent. This spike puts extra strain on our water system to keep up with demand and provide the water we all count on.
“We’re closely monitoring river and weather conditions and watching the impacts of sustained heat and water demands,” said Nicole Newton, Manager of Natural Environment & Adaptation. “On Calgary’s hottest days, every effort to manage outdoor water use when watering lawns and yards helps maintain a reliable water supply for everyone.”
The City takes steps to manage water usage
The City is committed to conserving water and promoting sustainable practices and is taking proactive steps to manage its own outdoor water use. This includes reducing vehicle washing, turning off fountains that don’t recirculate water and irrigating with non-potable (non-drinking) water sources.
These actions are part of a broader effort to help Calgary remain resilient during periods of high heat and increased water demand. By leading with these strategies, The City aims to set an example for Calgarians to follow and encourages everyone to do their part.
Top tips to manage outdoor water use
Calgarians are encouraged to make every drop count by:
- Reducing how long you water outdoors: You can achieve this by cutting your watering time by 5-10 minutes less per session.
- Skipping a watering day: Healthy lawns only need one inch of water per week, including rainfall.
- Watering during cooler hours: Water your lawn and garden in the late evening or early morning to reduce evaporation.
- Keeping your grass three inches long: Longer grass keeps roots cool helping your lawn handle dry conditions.
- Using a rain barrel: Rain barrels are a great way to capture and reuse rainwater in your yard.
By managing our water use, we not only save water now, but also develop lasting habits that make it easier to use water wisely all summer long.
Looking ahead
Weather conditions can change. “We’re hopeful that temperatures ease up and a prolonged heat wave doesn’t materialize,” says Newton. “In the meantime, we’re closely monitoring conditions and are confident that, with everyone’s help, we can make every drop count. We’ll continue to keep Calgarians informed if anything changes.”
For more information on conditions and how you can help, visit calgary.ca/waterwise
