Town restricts non-essential water use due to low levels

The Town of Fort Frances issued a notice Tuesday morning restricting non-essential water use, including lawn watering, and said the splash pad in Legion Park has been closed for the time being. Town of Fort Frances’ Environmental Superintendent Ram Dokala said the restriction was put in place after a sharp [...]

The Town of Fort Frances issued a notice Tuesday morning restricting non-essential water use, including lawn watering, and said the splash pad in Legion Park has been closed for the time being. Town of Fort Frances’ Environmental Superintendent Ram Dokala said the restriction was put in place after a sharp drop in the water supply was noticed overnight. “We actually anticipated a water main break overnight, but the distribution guys ran around town and haven’t found any significant breaks,” Dokala said.

“So, the reservoir levels have come down due to usage, probably non-essential usage of water.” Dokala said bylaw enforcement officers will be on patrol to ensure compliance with the town’s non-essential water use regulations. The Town of Fort Frances’s bylaw for non-essential water use is as follows: “Non-essential use of water externally shall include watering of lawns and gardens, filling of swimming pools, washing of vehicles (other than commercially operated car washes) and any other use of water which is not essential to public health and safety, personal hygiene or to sustain a commercial activity at the municipal address where the water is used.”

Dokala said he believes that residents may also be disobeying the regular water restrictions, which dictate non-essential use by civic number. Households with even civic numbers can use their water on even dates, and households with odd civic numbers can use their water on odd dates. Dokala said that if there were a significant cause other than use, it would have become evident by now.

He’s hopeful that with the restriction in place, water levels will return to normal soon. “I’m hoping we can get back to capacity or else we’ll have to increase the water intake capacity to meet demand,” he said. If a Fort Frances bylaw officer finds someone in violation of watering regulations, the town normally uses progressive enforcement.

The resident is given a verbal or written warning explaining the restriction but continued non‐compliance can lead to a Provincial Offence Notice with a set fine, typically in the $100 to $300 range for a first offence. In cases where someone repeatedly ignores warnings during a conservation period, enforcement can escalate to a summons and, in rare situations, an order to cease use immediately.