Spray pads stay dry as Regina water woes continue

Outdoor pools and spray pads will stay dry as Regina continues to work through a water supply issue. Officials are not imposing water-use restrictions but are asking residents and businesses to cut back.

Regina's water comes from a reservoir known as Buffalo Pound Lake, which also supplies water to Moose Jaw and other communities in the area.

Due to algae blooms and other quality issues, the water treatment process is slower than normal and communities are getting less water than normal.

Regina has been supplementing its supplies using a network of eight wells.

The city has also curtailed its watering program for parks and green spaces and said non-potable water will be used for new plantings that really need moisture.

As well, no outdoor pools have been filled and no spray pads have water. The pools were supposed to be filled in time for a June 11 opening date. The city says that date may change as it takes 10 days, after a pool has been filled, before the facility is ready for swimming.

The city also said that overall dryness may lead to a spike in the number of water main breaks and crews will do their best to attend to the breaks.

Street cleaning is also on hold.

Work continues to try and address the water quality issue.

Regina's Mayor, Michael Fougere, repeated the city's request for people to reduce consumption. He said they have not yet reached a goal of a 25 per cent reduction.