Lethbridge County

Current Situation: We are in a voluntary conservation phase

No restrictions are in place, but water levels are low, so we thank you for using water wisely, being mindful of potential shortages.

Alberta is currently in stage 4 (out of 5) in its water shortage management response plan. Learn more at https://www.alberta.ca/drought-current-conditions.

About water in the County:

Lethbridge County residential water is supplied by the City of Lethbridge.

If you live or operate a business in a hamlet or grouped country residential subdivision, your water is likely managed by the County but supplied by the City.

If you live or operate a business in a rural area, on a singular acreage or farm, your water is likely managed by a water co-op but supplied by the City. Or, you may haul your own water from a County truck fill. This water is also supplied by the City.

If you operate a farm, water for your crops and/or livestock is managed and supplied by an irrigation district.

Use the menu below to learn more about simple steps you can take to help with the current drought situation (and save $ in the process!).

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Water conservation tips & cost savings

Conserving water doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can save you money, too! Use these easy, quick tips to reduce your water usage and save on your utility bill!

Inside

Fix leaks! A leaking faucet wastes a lot of water, and costs a lot of money, too! Replace or repair them when you can.

Kitchen

Choose the dishwasher over the sink (dishwashers use less water!), but only run when there’s a full load.
Fill up reusable water bottles and keep them cold in the fridge, instead of running the tap until the water turns cold.

Bathroom

Take a shower instead of having a bath. Showers use less water.
Take shorter showers – this one doesn’t need much explanation. A shorter shower uses less water! Aim for 5 minutes or less.
Don’t leave the faucet running when brushing your teeth.
Install a low-flow showerhead.

Laundry Room

Only run your washing machine when you have a full load.
Use the right setting on your machine – it will allocate the amount of water used based on what you put in there.
Replacing your washer? Consider a front-loading high-efficiency (HE) model, which can save a lot of water (and reduce your bills)!
Pre-treat stains! Getting stains out the first time means you won’t have to re-wash your clothes and use more water.
Consider getting an extra wear or two out of your clothes. If they aren’t dirty, you can probably wear them again before washing.

Outside

Water with intention.
Water at the right time: when it’s coolest, early in the morning or in the evening, It’s too hot during the day and the water will just evaporate.
Check your grass, trees and plants before you water. Only water what’s dry and avoid running the sprinkler or hose on things that don’t need moisture. We’ve all forgotten to turn off the sprinkler before – set a timer to remind you and keep precious water from running down the drain.
Don’t water when it’s raining! If you have a sprinkler system on a timer, turn it off when rain is in the forecast.
Sweep up dead leaves, dirt, etc. with a broom instead of washing it away with a hose.
Collect rainwater to water plants
Use a rain barrel
Limit car washing. A clean car looks nice, but it’s not essential.

Home Water Audit

Wondering how your home rates as far as water usage? You can do a simple home water audit!

Why would you do a home water audit?

To identify opportunities for cost savings by repairing leaks
Environmental conservation
To improve your water system performance through detection and resolution of system issues
To prevent home damage
To build awareness and education around your water habits and potential efficiencies
To increase your property value by ensuring your water systems are in top shape
Preparation for drought conditions

Thanks to our friends at the Town of Taber, we have a handy guide for you that explores a complete home water audit in 10 easy steps.

View or download the home water audit guide here.

Info for homes

If you operate a business in a hamlet or grouped country residential subdivision, your water is managed by the County but supplied by the City.

If you live in a rural area, on a singular acreage or farm, your water is managed by a water co-op but supplied by the City.

Co-op websites:

Info for farmers

Visit your irrigation district’s website to learn more:

Irrigators can help conserve water with these best practices:

Avoid overwatering your crop.
Monitor your pivots. Especially on windy days, when pivots shift the water stream can move onto roads and other unintended spaces.
If you can, avoid watering during hot, windy periods of the day.
Repair leaks in your irrigation system. Replace old parts when you can.
If you’re ready to replace your irrigation system, choose one that is less susceptible to evaporation. Sprinkler or drip systems instead of a gun can reduce water use, especially in windy areas.

Livestock operations can conserve water with these best practices:

Fix leaks in pipes, faucets, etc. to reduce water loos.
Don’t overfill tubs or tanks – keep an eye when filling or install a float with a shut-off.
Manually clean floors first before spraying them down to reduce the amount of water used.

Links

Info for businesses

If you operate a business in a hamlet or grouped country residential subdivision, your water is managed by the County but supplied by the City.

If you operate a business in a rural area, on a singular acreage or farm, your water is managed by a water co-op but supplied by the City.

Co-op websites:

Conservation tips:

Discuss water conservation strategies and ideas with employees. Encourage staff to be mindful of water use. This can save money, too!
Regularly check for leaks in toilets, faucets and irrigation systems.
Water your landscaping with intention.
Water at the right time: when it’s coolest, early in the morning or in the evening, It’s too hot during the day and the water will just evaporate.
Check your grass, trees and plants before you water. Only water what’s dry and avoid running the sprinkler or hose on things that don’t need moisture. We’ve all forgotten to turn off the sprinkler before – set a timer to remind you and keep precious water from running down the drain.
Don’t water when it’s raining! If you have a sprinkler system on a timer, turn it off when rain is in the forecast.
Sweep up dead leaves, dirt, etc. with a broom instead of washing it away with a hose.
Collect rainwater to water plants.
Use a rain barrel
Limit fleet/equipment washing when you can.

Landscaping in drought: what to plant to use less water

Yes, you can have a beautiful yard and use less water!

Xeriscaping uses drought-resistant plants that will thrive in times of drought and difficult conditions.

Here’s where to start:

We’ve put together a great list of drought-resistant trees, shrubs and perennials that you can check for at a local garden centre.
Ask garden centre staff for advice on what will work best in your yard.
Set them up for success: loosen up the soil before planting to help plants thrive.
Group plants with similar water needs together to use it most effectively.

*All plants require some amount of water until they are established. Plants may take 1-2 growing seasons or longer to establish depending on the species and the severity of the climate. When installing any new plants, be prepared to help nurture them until they are strong enough to survive on their own. Follow the planting instructions and maintenance advice provided by the nursery or garden centre that sold the plants.

What is Lethbridge County doing to conserve water in its operations?

The County has signed on to a water-sharing agreement with the larger water license holders in the area to reduce water consumption by 10%. We have identified areas where we can conserve water in our operations and are actively striving to exceed the 10% consumption reduction target.

Conservation activities include: