Durham Region Imposes Mandatory Water Restrictions for Eight Communities Amid Heat

Residents and businesses in Beaverton, Cannington, Sunderland, Uxbridge, Port Perry, Orono, Blackstock, and Greenbank are now under mandatory water restrictions, according to the Regional Municipality of Durham. These restrictions take effect immediately and will continue until further notice. All non-essential water use is to be discontinued during the current period of extreme heat.

The Region has implemented these measures due to ongoing hot weather, a lack of rainfall, and increased water demand, which have placed significant strain on local water systems. Maintaining adequate water levels is necessary to ensure emergency services, including fire protection, are not compromised in these communities.

The Regional Municipality of Durham provided examples of non-essential water use that residents and businesses must stop, including washing cars, cleaning driveways or decks, and watering lawns. These activities remain prohibited as long as the current advisory is in place.

Bowmanville remains under separate mandatory water restrictions because of a maintenance issue with one of the water plant's filters. The Region said this situation is unrelated to the new restrictions affecting the eight other communities.

Once the current water restrictions are lifted, the Region stated that lawn watering may resume in accordance with the “odd-even day lawn watering” schedule specified by the Regional Water Supply By-law #89-2003. This schedule is mandatory each year from May to September.