City says residents should take precautions with dry conditions

The city is asking residents to be extra careful in water usage, watering trees and using firepits due to continued dry conditions.

For the third year in a row, Regina has been experiencing drought conditions with little to no rainfall this season.

Pat Wilson, the city’s director of water, waste and environmental services, said Tuesday that these conditions have implications for everyone and asks residents to take some precautions with their water usage.

“What we want to see is that every drop of water gets used for every purpose it’s intended for,” said Wilson. “Use full loads in the dishwasher and laundry machine (and) consider when you do your watering.

“On a windy day, very little of that water is actually going to get to your yard and even if it does it’s not going to get into the root system .”

Wilson added that residents should water their lawns at the most appropriate times, such as early morning or late evening when the temperature is not as hot.

Residents with backyard firepits should also be particularly cautious.

Randy Ryba, a fire marshall for Regina Fire and Protective Services, said conditions are continually being monitored but he notices backyards are susceptible.

“People are not watering as much for whatever reason,” Ryba said. “(If) that vegetation is dry, that is just a combination that could accelerate if you’re not careful.”

Ryba added that if people want to use their firepits, they should make sure to use the right amount of fuel, use seasoned clean wood with a grate, and make sure the fire is at least three metres away from flammable items such as a deck or fence.

Trees are also showing the strains of a drought.

Russell Eirich, the city’s senior program manager for forestry, pest control and horticulture, said that rather than watering a tree normally, residents should use a deep-root watering technique.

Deep-root watering includes watering your tree slowly and drilling or digging a hole in the ground so that the roots get as much water as they can.

Eirich recommends deep-root watering large trees at least once a month and smaller trees every two weeks.

If dry conditions continue, Wilson added the city may have to ask residents to take measures to ration their water.

“We might be having to look at some voluntary water restrictions,” said Wilson. “Right now we’re not moving in that direction, but it is a possibility that if we see these hot dry conditions, we might be asking some voluntary adjustments from folks.”

There are wells in the city that are meant only as emergency backups but Wilson said the amount of water in Buffalo Pound is not an issue and doesn’t currently anticipate water rationing.

Ryba added that dry conditions are being monitored daily so the city can take any necessary precautions.

“If this continues, we may have to initiate a ban,” said Ryba. “Even when we do get rain which we haven’t had, the vegetation above the soil will dry up in about an hour so it’ll still burn just as well an hour after a rain.”

If anyone notices any unsafe firepits in their neighborhood, they can call Service Regina at 306-777-7000.