LO delegation approaches city over water ban,
while website helps consumers deal with issue
A delegation from Landscape Ontario has met with the
City of Ottawa to discuss ways to mitigate damage caused by the water ban,
while a special website to help consumers deal with the issue of no outside
water supply is available at Ottawa water ban.
In
approaching the city council, the LO group wanted to communicate the potential impact
concerning jobs, economy and environmental perspective, and to express a
willingness to develop ideas to overcome the problems created by the ban.
The
delegation asked for an exemption for new plantings; support regarding the use
of water trucks and the distribution of collapsible rain barrels
The city
said it couldn’t exempt new plantings or introduce limited water use programs,
the entire water capacity will be down to 10 per cent during the construction
period. “The fear is that the present capacity would be overwhelmed and
there would be no water for drinking, cooking, washing and fire protection,”
explained LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni.
The bottom
line is that water for landscaping purposes must come from water trucks or
collected rainwater. The city did agree to supply a $50 rebate on rain barrels
or rain bags sold to customers. One LO member has agreed to discount the rain
bags. The website may be accessed at rain bags.
Along with
the website geared to consumers, Landscape Ontario will host two or three
“Gardening through a Water Ban” workshops, using well-known garden
communicators. This is expected to take place near the end of May.
