Morden issues water-use warning amid early drought conditions

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This article was published 06/12/2023 (957 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Morden residents are being asked to conserve water, after a moderate-level drought warning was announced this week.

“During the moderate drought stage, it is important to be mindful of our water usage,” a statement posted to the City of Morden’s website Tuesday reads. “This includes taking shorter showers, fixing leaks promptly and reducing outdoor watering activities, such as outdoor rinks.”

Morden leadership has set a use-reduction target of 10 per cent, and already reduced the amount of some water services, including landscape, construction sites and community leisure centres. The current water supply is between three and 5.5 feet below full supply level, the city said.

The southern Manitoba community gets most of its water from Lake Minnewasta, obtaining some through the Pembina Valley Water Co-operative, which provides to 14 municipalities in the province.

According to Morden’s drought plan, moderate conditions are the first stage below normal levels, with severe conditions resulting in a 25 per cent target water-use reduction and extreme conditions resulting in a 30 per cent reduction or higher.

The plan was put together in the midst of extreme drought conditions in 2021, when low precipitation and high temperatures resulted in the city placing water restrictions on several sectors.

The report calls droughts a “tangible concern” for Morden and impacted by extreme temperatures caused by climate change.

“While droughts are cyclical in southern Manitoba, research indicates the climate uncertainty resulting from a warming climate may result in more severe and sustained droughts,” the report reads. “The City of Morden has identified drought as a concern that may pose a threat to its community.”

This year has marked an especially mild winter, with 22 days of above-0 C temperatures — nearly a week above the average count of 14.7 days.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca