The Town of Okotoks will be making a couple of small changes to the watering schedule this season.

Last summer, the demand during peak times caused a shortage in the town water supply. There was one period, in particular, where the demand was fifteen million litres due to the dry conditions, and the town's water system couldn't keep up with the demand. According to Dawn Smith, Sustainability Coordinator for the town, the fifteen million litre demand is the highest they have ever seen.

" On watering days the demand was higher than what we could actually produce. It was at fifteen million litres, which we've never seen before," said Smith.

The town hopes a few small changes will assist with curtailing the peak demand times.

Smith says the largest change coming is in regards to irrigation systems.

"If people have irrigation systems, they are going to be asked to water between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. because you're able to set an automatic irrigation system to a specific time," said Smith.

The town introduced this change to ensure water production can keep up with the demand in light of the shortage experienced last summer.

Smith says the town will also be dropping one hour off of the schedule on watering days to help with recharging the systems before the irrigation systems water in the early hours.

"It used to by 7 pm to 11 p.m. ,and we've changed it to 10 p.m. And that's to help the system recharge prior to the 2 a.m. watering of the irrigation systems." she said.

The schedule on watering days will stay the same in terms of the odd and even days.

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