Abbotsford/Mission (Abbotsford News) Residents of Abbotsford and Mission are being asked to conserve water and follow the current watering restrictions in anticipation of both communities facing a complete watering ban.
Abbotsford and Mission share joint water utilities and infrastructure and both communities are currently at Stage 2 of their joint water shortage response plan, which allows residents in either community to sprinkle their lawns twice a week in the morning. Stage 2 was extended this year starting May 1 through September 30, due to the low snow pack, according to a city news release.
Staff will be out in both communities enforcing the current watering restrictions to help with delaying a Stage 3 restriction activation.
If the hot weather continues without rain, it is expected the Stage 3 restrictions will be implemented shortly.
Stage 3 brings a complete ban on all lawn sprinkling; no new lawn sprinkling permits will be issued; and non-re-circulating fountains will be prohibited. Residents will still be able to hand water flower and vegetable gardens.
“The unseasonably warm temperatures and lack of rainfall this spring, combined with our significantly reduced snowpack have contributed to the lowering of the Dickson Lake levels faster than we expected,” said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun in a news release.
“The driest months of July and August are still to come and we are asking residents to follow the twice weekly lawn watering restrictions and help to conserve the lake level.”
“Residents need to be aware that the lake level is lower this year than most years,” said Mission Mayor Randy Hawes. “We’re asking residents to be smart about their non-essential water use.”
The concern is that if lake levels are drawn down too low and there is a dry winter, the communities will be starting off next spring with a lower than average water level in the lake.
Abbotsford has turned off all of its outdoor fountains and spray parks will operate on motion sensors to help with conserving water.
Residents are being asked for their help too by limiting non-essential watering as well as refraining from planting any new lawns or grass seed.
For more information on water conservation log onto www.ourwatermatters.ca or call 
604-557-4423.
