WATER USE LIMITS: Lawn watering restrictions eased

August 15, 2025

BERWICK, Ontario - The Township of North Stormont Bylaw (64-2021) provides authority to the mayor, chief administrative officer and the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to prohibit outdoor water use for all users connected to a municipal water system.

A water use ban, with specific allowances, has been instituted in the Township of North Stormont. Residents may draw from municipal systems, while adhering to the following provisions:

UPDATE - MONDAY, AUG. 18, 3 P.M.

Lawn watering within the parameters of the Bylaw is permitted.
Properties ending in an odd-numbered civic address may water their lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Properties ending in an even-numbered address may water their lawns on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
No watering on Sundays.
Watering is only allowed between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m.
Vegetable gardens can be hand-watered.
The Township will review restrictions regularly. Check back for updates.

Please note, ratepayers are strongly encouraged to continue to conserve water, if the community can refrain altogether from consuming water for external purposes, it would be appreciated.

This covers all residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial users in the communities of Finch, Crysler and Moose Creek.

STATEMENT OF AUG. 13, 2025 CONTINUES BELOW.

Groundwater levels at local drinking water sources are in decline due to prolonged hot, dry conditions plaguing eastern Ontario. The drought-like conditions, lack of recent rainfall and limited forecasted precipitation have not allowed some local aquifers to adequately recharge.

What does this mean?

All outdoor water use is now prohibited, including:

Lawn watering
Persons watering manually
Vegetable garden and flowerbed watering
Sod or landscape watering

Why did council make this decision?

This ban is necessary to ensure the township can continue to meet essential water needs, such as drinking, cooking, sanitation, and firefighting.

Is this allowed?

Yes. Provisions laid out in provincial and municipal legislation (including water control bylaws), combined with protocols established by OCWA allow municipalities to establish these measures during periods of emergency/extreme drought.

How long will this last?

Until further notice. Township staff, including OCWA, public works and the fire service, will be monitoring weather and ground conditions to determine when these provisions can be relaxed. It is safe to say that unless there is a prolonged rain event in the future, these provisions will remain active to ensure the safety of our local system and community.

Are we running out of water?

No – but we are concerned about stressing the system beyond its capacity. Township staff have determined that in many instances the water being drawn from our system is far outpacing nature’s ability to provide a steady supply.

What if I am on a well, a farm, or private system?

These provisions do not impact you. Only those serviced by a public municipal water system must adhere to these new rules. However, all residents are urged to make efforts to conserve water at this time.