York Region implements mandatory Stage 2 Water Ban for Town of Aurora and community of Oak Ridges in Richmond Hill

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York has issued a mandatory Stage 2 Outdoor Water Use Ban for the Town of Aurora and the community of Oak Ridges in the Town of Richmond Hill.  Oak Ridges is bounded by Bloomington Road, Leslie Street, Stouffville Road/Jefferson Sideroad and Bathurst Street.

A Stage 2 Mandatory Outdoor Water Ban states no person shall use municipal water from a hose, pipe, sprinkler or permanent irrigation system for the purposes of watering lawns or gardens, washing vehicles, sidewalks or driveways and filling or topping up swimming pools. 

Residents can be fined up to $5,000 for outdoor watering in accordance with local municipal bylaws.

The remainder of York Region remains under a voluntary Stage 1 Outdoor Water Use Advisory, which requests residents to limit their outdoor water usage in accordance with their local watering bylaw.  The Region is particularly stressing the need for voluntary water conservation in the remaining communities of Richmond Hill.

York Region thanks residents for their support and conservation efforts to date.  Despite these efforts, the persistent hot, dry weather experienced across greater Toronto this week has caused reservoir levels in Aurora and Oak Ridges to drop to below 40 per cent.  An outdoor water ban in these areas is necessary to ensure an adequate supply of water to handle any emergencies that may arise.

Residents with questions about the Stage 2 Water Ban in Aurora and Oak Ridges, or about the Stage 1 Water Advisory in the remainder of the Region can do the following:

·         Contact the Water Conservation Hotline at 1-877-464-9675, ext. 5298 (Staffed during long weekend)

·         Email yorkregionwaterhotline@york.ca

·         Visit York Region's website www.york.ca and click the Stage 2 Water Ban icon

York Region has answered more than 700 phone calls and emails to date and appreciates the interest and feedback that has been provided by residents. 

Attached are Frequently Asked Questions and a list of local municipal water use by-laws to use as a guideline in areas currently under the Stage 1 Water Advisory.

Through co-operation, it is hoped that York Region will be able to remove the Stage 2 Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Ban in the Town of Aurora and the community of Oak Ridges in the Town of Richmond Hill once water reserves have returned to a safe level. 

For more information on municipal water-use by-laws or enforcement of these rules, residents are asked to contact their local municipality.