B.C. drought: Metro Vancouver water use dropping, but reservoirs still low

Rain today and over the weekend unlikely to make much of a dent in water reservoir levels

Image | Drought shaming and dry grass abounds in heat-stricken lower mainland

Caption: Under Stage 3 water restrictions, all lawn sprinkling is banned.

Water usage rates in Metro Vancouver have finally dropped below target levels, following additional restrictions that were put in place earlier this week.
"I think people are getting the message," said Metro Vancouver Utilities Committee Chair Darrell Mussatto.
On Monday, the region implemented Stage 3 water restrictions(external link), which include a complete ban on watering lawns, washing vehicles, and pressure washing.
By Wednesday, residents of Metro Vancouver used less water than the target amount of 1.2 billion litres per day.

Image | Metro Vancouver daily water consumption

Caption: Daily water consumption Metro Vancouver has decreased since additional water restrictions were implemented this week. (Metro Vancouver)

Local reservoirs are still at 69 per cent capacity, but Mussatto says if residents keep consumption at its current level there will be enough water to make it to fall, even without any rain.

Rain no match for low reservoir levels

Mussato said even though this morning's rain is good news for local reservoirs, we're still far from normal levels.
"If we get five millimetres today that's a good thing, but we need well over 140 to 150 millimetres to have reservoirs back to where they should be," said Mussatto.
Which means that the Stage 3 watering restrictions are still in place.

Image | Metro Vancouver reservoir levels July 24 2015

Caption: Metro Vancouver water reservoirs are at 69 per cent. (Metro Vancouver)