Low water levels could impact residential wells

By Kristen Oelschlagel

Low water levels in the Quinte watersheds could cause problems for residential wells.

Christine McClure, water resources engineer for Quinte Conservation, said if unusually low water levels continue and no precipitation comes, well water could be affected.

“If we’re not receiving rain the ground water will not be continually recharging, we won’t be receiving infiltration that’s necessary to maintain well water levels,” McClure said.

Quinte Conservation water resources manager Bryon Keene said in a statement that the precipitation from January to the end of March was about 60 to 70 per cent of what it usually is.

A level one low water condition that was posted on April 17 is still in effect for the Quinte watersheds. The condition is declared when the total precipitation for three consecutive months is less than 80 per cent of the historical average precipitation.

McClure and Keene both agree residents should do what they can to conserve water.

“With the potential for a dry summer, it’s time to start thinking about conserving water,” Keene said in a statement.

Because of the low water levels, Quinte Conservation had to install their seasonal weirs early. The weirs are installed to maintain water levels within reservoirs, such as Moira Lake and Stoco Lake. McClure said that means boaters should not be affected by low water levels.

“The reservoir’s seasonal weirs have been installed, they (the reservoirs) should be at or around normal summer operating levels,” said McClure.

McClure said all we can do now is wait for rain. Quinte Conservation will be doing calculations in the upcoming weeks to see if the low water condition is still in effect.