Low Water Response

Low rainfall and hot weather can result in low flows and low groundwater levels. This can affect the amount of water available for drinking water, agriculture and industry, as well as the health of the ecosystem. The Grand River Low Water Response Program coordinates and supports the response to low water. The program is based on the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

The program is directed at holders of Permits to Take Water. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issues permits to those who take more than 50,000 litres of water a day from a lake, river, stream or well. That includes municipal water systems and private users such as golf courses, factories, aggregate pits, farmers who irrigate and others.

Many municipalities have their own water conservation programs that run parallel to the Low Water Response Program. Even those water users who are not required to have permits are also urged to conserve water in low water conditions.

Low Water Reponse Team

The Grand River Low Water Response Team meets when needed to review stream flows and weather information. If necessary, it will declare a Low Water Condition for all or part of the Grand River watershed.

The team members represent major water users: municipalities, First Nations, farmers, golf courses, gravel pits, water bottlers and others. Representatives of provincial ministries sit on the committee as advisory, non-voting members. The GRCA coordinates the work of the team.

Check the current conditions

Check current conditions in the Summer Low Flow Condition Summary chart.

The three low water condition levels

The Low Water Response Program has three condition levels. The levels are based on trends in flows and rainfall.

Level 1: Flows are less than 70 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 80 per cent of average. Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 per cent.
Level 2: Flows are less than 50 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 60 per cent of average. Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 per cent.
Level 3: Flows are less than 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 40 per cent of average. There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water.

Taking action

When a low water condition takes effect, the Low Water Status icon on our home page will show the level.
You can subscribe to receive Low Water Condition messages.
Go to our River flow page and Reservoir levels page for information on current conditions.
See our Weather Data pages for rainfall and other information.
The chart, Suggested Actions For Major Water Use Sectors (75KB PDF), shows how different types of waters can reduce their water consumption at each level. Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.

Municipal outdoor water use bylaws

Many municipalities have their own water use bylaws that include restrictions on lawn watering, car washing and other activities. In some cases, the restrictions follow the levels of the Low Water Response Plan. Consult your municipal website for more information.

Conservation tips

Please note the following documents may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.

Brochures:

Suggested Actions for Major Water Users (75KB PDF) - Grand River Low Water Response Team
Managing Your Water Well In Times of Shortage (239KB PDF) - Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ontario Low Water Response (1.7MB PDF) - Brochure published by the Ontario government

Websites:

Water Conservation - Region of Waterloo
Water Conservation - City of Guelph
Water Conservation - City of Brantford
Water Conservation - City of Hamilton
Water Shortages and Conservation Information - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Drought contingency plan

We produced a report on Drought Contingency Planning for the Grand River watershed (1.1MB PDF). The report was written as part of the Grand River Watershed Water Management Plan. (Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.)