A Metcalfe woman is sounding the alarm as private wells across rural Ottawa continue to dry up amid record-low water levels. Stefanie Witt says she’s been watching her well’s output drop since late July. Tap pressure has weakened, and her family has been cutting back by taking shorter showers, doing fewer loads of laundry and relying on bottled water. “It’s a private well, so it’s all voluntary,” Witt said. “Hence, the information needs to flow.” She’s been printing and posting water-conservation notices around her community, urging neighbours to start conserving before their wells run dry. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority says the region remains under a Level 3 Low Water Advisory — the highest stage before an emergency — as rainfall across the watershed has fallen to less than 40 per cent of normal levels. “This year, we’ve received an unprecedented number of reports of dry wells,” said Justin Robert, environmental data specialist with the authority. According to Robert, this time of year is usually marked by consistent rainfall that saturated the ground and groundwater systems, fuelling major rivers and streams in the area. “We haven’t seen that cycle of replenishment occur, so without consistent rainfall and cool wet periods, we don’t expect much of any recovery to occur until then.” Data from the provincial groundwater monitoring network show sustained declines across the region, with some wells at record lows. Streams such as the Jock River and Kemptville Creek are now flowing at a fraction of typical fall levels, with some sections nearly dry. “There could be challenges moving into the winter and spring if this low-water condition persists,” says Robert. Residents are urged not to top up shallow wells with trucked-in water, which can cause contamination. Instead, the city recommends cutting back on outdoor use and reducing overall household consumption until steady rainfall returns. While there are no plans to fund residents’ water needs, Ottawa Coun. Isabelle Skalski, says the city has been working to keep residents informed by providing online updates. Affected residents can also refer to a list of community centers where they can fill water containers and take showers. “We’ve been notifying residents of the importance of conserving water through social media, ward newsletters, and large signs at gateways throughout the ward,” she says, noting the city continues to monitor the situation while exploring what additional measures could help. “We’re equally concerned when residents don’t heed the recommendation to conserve,” she says. “That’s why I’ve asked staff to offer more information on what other rural municipalities are doing and what more could be done here.” For Witt, the issue remains personal and pressing. “People need to be made aware of how bad the situation is,” she said. “And I just don’t think that has come across.” The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority warns that without steady fall rainfall, wells and groundwater systems could take months to recover.
