Water Smart Action Plan

As a signatory to the Columbia Basin Water Smart Charter, the City of Fernie has set a target to reduce 2009 gross community water demands by up to 20 per cent by 2015.

This target will contribute to Columbia Basin Trust’s cumulative reduction target for all participating Water Smart communities of 20 per cent by 2015.

In order to achieve this reduction target, the City of Fernie will focus their water conservation efforts on the objectives outlined below. It is important to note that these objectives have been developed based on the best available data provided by the community. As the data changes or is refined through enhanced monitoring and analysis or the implementation of improved data gathering technologies, the Action Plan objectives may also need to be changed or refined accordingly.

  • Objective 1 - Continue leak detection and repair program, along with installation of pressure reducing stations.
  • Objective 2 - Implement a staged approach to introducing water meters to utility customers.
  • Objective 3 - Revitalize public education program containing new messages regarding the importance of water conservation, and new approaches to target audiences.

Water Smart Ambassador

The Columbia Basin Trust has developed the Water Smart Ambassador program as part of the Water Smart Initiative that will provide education to the public about the need for water conservation and the steps that we can all take to achieve our reduction goals. The Water Smart Ambassador will make the link between information and action by providing residential landscape and irrigation system assessments.

Despite the apparent wealth of fresh water in the Columbia Basin, increasing human activities, population growth and climate change are placing pressure on this precious resource. The city of Fernie is conscious of the strong increase in water use during the summer months that can be attributed to the increase in outdoor water consumption. The Ministry of Environment have determined that on average, acknowledging the population increase in the winter months, each person uses approximately 2,152 liters per day. This is significantly higher than the national and provincial averages of approximately 609 and 649 liters per person in a day, respectively.

The Water Smart Ambassador will gather information through annual reporting and monitoring that will assist in the development of future programs and activities for following years. Working with residents and commercial businesses through irrigation assessments, as well indoor leak detection and home water use surveys, we can achieve our 20 percent reduction goal by 2015.

If you have any questions about:

  • Requests for landscape audits
  • Requests for irrigation system and lawn assessments
  • Request for general water conservation information

Or to book a FREE appointment with the Fernie Water Ambassador, please call 250.430.1768 or e-mail watersmart@fernie.ca  

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