City opens the taps for Barrhaven, Riverside South and Manotick – water ban ends

Ottawa - Today, Mayor Jim Watson and City Councillors Steve Desroches and Jan Harder announced that the water ban in Barrhaven, Riverside South and Manotick is over and that all water restrictions are being lifted.

“We are very pleased to announce that this water ban is officially over and full water supply has been restored to these three communities,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “I would like to thank residents for their cooperation with the water restrictions, and congratulate the contractor and City staff who worked hard to get the repair work done quickly in order to ensure life got back to normal."

Construction work on the Woodroffe Avenue watermain, the largest waterline in the area, is now complete and the pipe has been tested to ensure the delivery of clean, safe drinking water.

Residents are able to resume their regular water uses, both indoors and out, including washing vehicles, watering plants, gardens and lawns and any outdoor cleaning. In addition, splash pads will now be open all week long, and normal sports field watering will resume. All prohibitions on commercial water use, including car washes, are also lifted.

“City staff and the contractor have gone to extra lengths to get this project done ahead of schedule,” said Councillor Steve Desroches. “But most importantly they did the job to the highest professional level, which means we can rely on the Woodroffe watermain to provide a steady level of clean water from here on in."

The work to repair the pipe was originally expected to be complete by early to mid-August. Recent announcements had revised the timeline to mid-July and also eased outdoor water use restrictions to allow residents to water one day per week.

“This is the news that residents have been waiting to hear for the last two months,” said Councillor Jan Harder. “I’m really impressed with how this community has come together to maintain normal outdoor activities, while also respecting the outdoor water ban. This comes just in time for families to start their summer holidays and enjoy all that their yards and City parks and programs have to offer.”

On April 27, the City instituted a full outdoor water ban for all residents on City water in Barrhaven, Riverside South and Manotick. The ban was necessary to reduce water demand to ensure the supply of clean, safe drinking water while the Woodroffe Avenue watermain was replaced.

All the measures put in place to help residents during the ban will now end. Only appointments for pool or hot tub top ups booked for June 27 will be delivered. City staff will contact any other residents who have scheduled a top up to cancel the appointment as residents can now use City water for their pools or hot tubs. The water depots at garden centres will close as of today.

June 30 will be the last day that rain barrel purchases will be eligible for a rebate up to $50. Any City resident who bought a rain barrel between April 27 and June 30 can apply for the rebate. Applications must be received by the City on or before September 15. Rebates will be processed as a credit on the water bill or as a cheque for those who do not receive a water bill.

The City continues to encourage residents to practice water conservation in their daily activities, including using a rain barrel for outdoor watering, planting drought-resistant, native plants, using a pool or hot tub cover to reduce evaporation, installing a low-flow showerhead or a faucet aerator. More information on indoor and outdoor water conservation is available at ottawa.ca/waterwise .