(Cochrane, AB) – Cochrane Administration is excited to unveil its ‘made in Cochrane’ solution to help residents understand their daily water use through the release of a new Water Use Dashboard. Residents can now explore the same real-time water use information that the Town of Cochrane uses to monitor community demand and inform decisions to implement Level Two and Three water restrictions.
Cochrane has three water restriction levels with specific rules for allowable water use. Water restrictions are directly tied to the current status of Cochrane's water reservoirs. If the demand for water is consistently too high, water reservoir levels can be depleted below the amount needed to support essential water use and fire suppression. If needed, Cochrane can implement Level Two and Three water restrictions, increasing water conservation measures to allow reservoir levels to recover. Level One restrictions are in effect year-round, limiting outdoor watering with a sprinkler to before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
“The water use dashboard shows how much water is being used in Cochrane, highlighting when community demand is good, average or needs to be reduced,” says Shane Hubl, Cochrane’s Director of Operations. “Our goal for this dashboard is to help the community see how much water we’re using and adapt their usage accordingly. This ’first of its kind’ solution provides real-time water system information, allowing all residents to manage our water resources more effectively and sustainably.”
The new water use dashboard is part of Cochrane’s comprehensive water conservation program, including an updated water utility bylaw, metered water systems and tiered water rates, water loss mitigation efforts and water conservation rebate program.
Cochrane residents are encouraged to explore the dashboard and continue to champion water conservation in our community. Visit cochrane.ca/dashboard to explore the dashboard.