Severe drought conditions declared in Mississippi Valley

_ (press release) _

** Ottawa ** – Earlier today the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority issued a severe drought warning for

several sub watersheds of the Mississippi River. This includes the Fall River, Clyde River, Indian River and Carp River watersheds.

Properties in the City of Ottawa that are connected to any of the City’s central drinking water systems are not impacted.

The City of Ottawa’s central drinking water system relies upon the Ottawa River. The City’s annual water demand is normally less than 1% of the Ottawa River flow.  The current River levels are comparable to the same period last year. The City’s communal well systems draw on deep aquifers and are currently not impacted by the drought conditions. Water use in the communal well systems is well within the City’s permitted water use.

Residents on private well systems and those drawing from open surface water sources should respect the voluntary guidelines recommended by the conservation authority and reduce their water use.

The City of Ottawa has representatives on all of the local Conservation Authority Low Water Response Teams and will continue to monitor the situation and advise further if conditions change.

All Ottawa residents are encouraged to practice wise water use, particularly concerning outdoor water use, which can place huge demands on wells and water distribution systems.

Due to the extremely dry conditions, residents are also reminded that a city-wide burn ban is currently in effect.

For more information please visit the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority or call 613-253-0006.