Ontario Low Water Response
 Historically, periods of dry weather and low water levels have been relatively uncommon in Ontario (about every 10-15 years). However, recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate low water levels may become more common, potentially compounded by the province’s steadily increasing demand for water.
Drought-like conditions in Ontario in the late 1990s prompted the province to establish the Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) Program.
This program allows for Conservation Authorities to establish and coordinate a watershed based Water Response Team (WRT). This team consists of agriculture, industry and business, recreation and government representatives from the Kettle Creek watershed. The team assesses current precipitation and streamflow conditions in the watershed and responds in various ways to conserve our water resources.
The response could range from issuing communications that advocate water conservation practices to making recommendations to the Province concerning water allocations.
A watershed is considered to be in drought conditions if it is experiencing:
• Below normal levels of precipitation over an extended period of time; or
• Streamflows that are at a minimum required to sustain aquatic life; or
• Low water conditions that are causing socio-economic effects
There are three levels of low water conditions that can be declared:
Level 1 – first indication of a potential water supply problem where precipitation levels have fallen below the 80% long term average and streamflow is below 70% of the lowest average summer flow. A 10% voluntary conservation of water usage by the public is requested
Level 2 – more severe condition where precipitation levels have fallen below the 60% long term average and streamflow is below 50% of the lowest average summer flow. A 20% voluntary conservation of water usage by the public is requested.
Level 3 – indicates failure of the water supply to meet the demand where precipitation levels have fallen below the 40% long term average and streamflow is below 30% of the lowest average summer flow. At the Level 3 low water condition, conservation, restriction and regulation of the remaining water supply is put into effect and it is no longer voluntary.
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