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Public Information Release - Water Situation
August 26, 2023Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Management Organization
Public Information Release
August 26, 2023
The MD of Pincher Creek is unable to pump water from the Oldman Reservoir due to drought conditions. The MD and Village of Cowley have moved to Stage 3 of the Water Shortage Response Plan as of August 16. Measures were taken immediately to augment the supply of raw (not yet treated) water.
The Town of Pincher is at Stage 2 Water Restrictions as of July 26.
The MD of Pincher Creek, Town of Pincher Creek and Village of Cowley have activated their joint regional emergency management agency to coordinate communications and planning for the water shortage.
Do we have any water?
Yes the water distribution systems of the MD of Pincher Creek, Village of Cowley and Town of Pincher Creek continue to have water. Restrictions are in place as to its use.
The system for the MD of Pincher Creek and Village of Cowley is augmented by the trucking of raw water. This system covers Lundbreck, Cowley, Beaver Mines, and Castle Mountain.
The town’s raw water intake continues to be able to handle normal water usage. The town has a large raw water reservoir that can supply the town’s needs for many weeks even if no new water is taken in.
Why are there water restrictions?
The MD of Pincher Creek and Village of Cowley are at Stage 3 water restrictions. Quickly dropping levels of the Oldman Reservoir relative to the intakes along with other unexpected factors caused the MD to implement restrictions.
The Town of Pincher Creek has been asked by Alberta Environment to restrict the amount of water taken, in order to support its neighbours and to ensure that flows sustain freshwater ecosystems.
Why is there a fire ban?
The fire ban in the MD of Pincher Creek, Town of Pincher Creek, and Village of Cowley remains in place in support of the local water restriction to minimize the likelihood of a fire.
What if there’s a fire? Do we have enough water?
In the event of a fire in the MD or one of the region’s communities, there is adequate water to fight the fire while still providing for residential and commercial use. The fire department is working with the MD and the Town to make use of fire fighting water while minimizing the draw from their reserves. This can be done with water truck relays and portable tanks.
What does Stage 3 mean?
Stage 3 is a higher level of restriction on water usage which is currently in place in Lundbreck, Cowley, Beaver Mines, and Castle Mountain. See the MD of Pincher Creek’s website for the details of the restrictions. https://mdpinchercreek.ab.ca/content.php?ias=notice
What does Stage 2 mean?
The Town of Pincher Creek is at Stage 2, which is less restrictive. See the Town of Pincher Creek’s website for details. http://www.pinchercreek.ca/media/ias.php
Is the Town giving water to its neighbours?
The MD of Pincher Creek is purchasing drinking water from the Town of Pincher.
Why isn’t the Pincher Creek golf course being watered?
As part of Stage 2, restrictions affect everyone, including institutions such as schools, the hospital and the golf course. We ask people to be patient and that we all do our part to conserve water.
Public Information Release - Water Situation
