As proposed, this program will provide Town residents and businesses with a 50% rebate on the purchase of a rain barrel, to a maximum of $50 per barrel.
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During its May 13, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, Coaldale Town Council voted unanimously to immediately implement a rain barrel rebate program.
The move comes as part a larger effort by the Town to conserve water ahead of any mandated restrictions that may or may not be imposed by the City of Lethbridge, later this summer.
“As a Council, we determined that if we’re going ask Town residents to reduce their water consumption this summer, it’s incumbent on the Town to lead by example and ‘walk the walk’ – even before any compulsory restrictions come into effect” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “So in keeping with the City, the Town is also going to implement a number of short-term water conservation measures including cutting back on how often we wash the outsides of Town vehicles; adjusting street sweeping practices to reduce water use; flushing hydrants only as needed for health and safety requirements; and immediately reducing the irrigation of Town parks and greenspaces by 10%.”
One additional measure the Town is taking is the immediate implementation of a rain barrel rebate program.
As proposed, this program will provide Town residents and businesses with a 50% rebate on the purchase of a rain barrel, to a maximum of $50 per barrel. Rebates will be limited to 1 rain barrel per residence and be issued on a first-come-first served basis until a designated rebate fund of $15,000 has been depleted. Rebates will be issued - to both property owners and renters - in the form of a credit on residential and non-residential utility bills. Proof of purchase in the form of a receipt will be required as part of the application process.
Funding for the program will come from costs savings generated through the implementation of other water conservation measures - including reductions in irrigation.
“As per the Town’s Water Supply Agreement with the City, whenever the City deems it necessary to encourage voluntary or impose compulsory restrictions on water usage, the Town is required to do the same,” said Jonathan Wensveen, Manager of Government Relations for the Town of
Coaldale. “Therefore, should the City impose restrictions this summer, Coaldale will follow suit and allocate some of the savings generated from using less water on irrigation to funding for rain barrels.”
On Tuesday, May 14, Lethbridge City Council passed first reading of an updated Water Rationing Action Plan that outlines 4 stages of water rationing, each with different water demand reduction targets. For example, Stage 1, (titled “Community Aware”) has a demand reduction target of 5%, and could come into effect if the water level in the Oldman Reservoir drops below the lower quartile (where only 25% of historical data is lower) for more than one week. Currently, the water level in the Oldman Reservoir is hovering around 43%, which is well below where it normally sits during this time of year (between 63-85%).
To read the City’s newly adopted Water Conservation Plan and Strategy, which includes its updated Water Rationing Action Plan, please visit:
https://www.lethbridge.ca/waterconservation.
Applications for the Town’s Rain Barrel Rebate Program will open on June 1, and can be submitted online via the Town's website or in person at the Town Office.