Residents of Mission and Abbotsford can finally breathe a sigh of relief as water restrictions have been lifted. This decision was announced on October 16, following a five-month period of restrictions that began on May 1.
Details of Water Restrictions
The City of Mission communicated the end of restrictions to its community through social media. During the restriction period, residents were encouraged to conserve water to maintain a sustainable supply.
Phases of Restrictions
Water restrictions were imposed in stages, responding to various environmental factors:
- Stage One began on May 1, allowing lawn watering only once per week.
- Stage Two was initiated on July 28, banning lawn watering and driveway washing.
These restrictions were not only in place for Mission and Abbotsford, but also affected the Clearbrook Waterworks District.
Factors Influencing Restrictions
Several considerations led to the implementation and modification of these water restrictions. These include:
- Snowpack levels
- Current and forecasted water supply levels from Dickson Lake, Cannell Lake, and the Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer
- Weather conditions, including precipitation and temperature forecasts
- Norrish Creek water flows
- Provincial drought levels
- Trends in water consumption
- Community compliance with existing restrictions
In 2024, the guidelines for staged water restrictions were updated to enhance the region’s response to severe drought conditions, which are expected to worsen due to climate change.
City officials expressed gratitude towards residents for their water conservation efforts, reaffirming the importance of community commitment to ensure a sustainable water supply.
