Saint-Hyacinthe extends ban on lawn watering to Aug. 31

A backyard sprinkler in action. (Sóc Năng Động /pexels.com)

A ban on lawn watering is set to be extended until Aug. 31 in the City of Saint-Hyacinthe, about an hour away from Montreal.

“More inspectors will be deployed in the field to enforce the bylaw,” officials note. “Citizens are urged to remain vigilant for the sake of the environment.”

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The city explains that during “periods of extreme heat” over the last few years, the consumption of drinking water has reached record highs.

At the same time, it points out that the Yamaska River, which supplies water to the City of Saint-Hyacinthe, is at its lowest level.

“As a result, a deficit in drinking water production is accumulating, and reserves are dwindling,” officials state. “Water clarity can also vary significantly from one day to the next, directly affecting treatment quality and capacity. Furthermore, water treatment incurs costs, so the inappropriate use of this essential resource must be avoided.”

For people worried about the health of their lawns, the city notes that grass that has yellowed or turned brown “is not necessarily dead.”

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“In fact, it can go dormant for up to six weeks without suffering,” it states. “It will regain its green colour within ten to fourteen days after rain.”

Some tips to avoid damaging your lawn during a watering ban:

• Limit foot traffic;
• Don’t mow the grass too close to the ground (8 cm or 3.15 in);
• Leave the grass clippings on the lawn after mowing to maintain a higher moisture level.

Residents are also being encouraged to install rainwater collection systems under their gutters to have resources for watering.