WATCH ABOVE: Alberta Health Services issued a heat advisory Friday as people in the Capital Region continue to seek relief from the heat. But their use of cold water has put pressure on area reservoirs. Kendra Slugoski reports.
EDMONTON — After asking residents to reduce their water use on Friday, Strathcona County lifted the restriction Monday. The county said, after hot and dry conditions reduced its water supply, the water stored in its reservoirs had returned to normal levels Monday.
“Thank you to residents and businesses that conserved water over the weekend,” said Jeff Hutton, Director of Utilities for Strathcona County.
Residents were still being encouraged to consider how to best conserve water on a daily basis.
“We’re having a drier than normal year and all water conservation efforts will reduce the demand on our water system,” said Hutton. “If we all use water wisely on a daily basis, especially outdoors, it reduces the chance of having to implement water restrictions when we have hot, dry weather.”
Hot temperatures and lack of rain prompted the county to put the voluntary water restriction in place last week.
On Thursday at 5 p.m., the City of Edmonton reached a high of 34.1°C, setting a new record for the hottest July 9 to date. The previous record was set just three years ago, in 2012, when the city reached a high of 32.6°C.
READ MORE: Edmontonians embrace the heat as city sets new temperature record
The weather conditions put increased demands on the region’s water system and forecasts show municipalities’ reservoir levels will be below desirable levels over the next several days, the county said Friday.
The voluntary water restriction was a precaution to keep water for critical activities like fighting fires, drinking and cooking.
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Strathcona County residents were asked to reduce or postpone all non-essential water use like:
– watering lawns, gardens and trees
– washing cars
– cleaning exterior of houses or driveways
– filling hot tubs, pools or large aquariums
The county also asked residents to keep conservation in mind when it comes to flushing the toilet, length of showers, and doing laundry.
Updates on the water restriction are available on a 24-hour recording, 780-417-2398, on the website at www.strathcona.ca/waterban and on Facebook and Twitter.
WATCH: Kevin O’Connell has your full weather forecast, as of 6:30 p.m. Friday
Lac La Biche lifted its water conservation restriction on Friday. It was put in place on Wednesday to build up the county’s water reservoir. After two days, the reservoir was back at 80 per cent capacity.
Morinville implemented water measures as well, stopping the use of all non-essential water at the municipal level. The town reduced hours at its splash park and stopped sod watering, flushing sewer lines, street sweeping and fire training involving water.
READ MORE: All-time summer peak record set for electricity in Alberta during heat wave
The region isn’t just smashing temperature records, it’s also blasting electricity records.
Alberta reached a record summer peak electricity demand Thursday. The Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO) said the system saw an average of 10,520 MW being used in the hour between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. due to the heat wave.
Several rivers are also at the lowest flow rates they’ve seen in years, including the North Saskatchewan River.
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