Low Water Condition Reaches Level 3

Published 08/22/2025 · Updated 08/22/2025

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On July 30, 2025, the RVCA declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition and due to recent monitoring, escalated directly from Level 1 to 3.

A Level 3 low water condition is declared when rainfall is less than 40% of historical averages and/or stream flows are less than 30% of their normal summer low flows. A Level 3 low water condition is not a declaration of an emergency, but an indicator of significant dry conditions and impacts observed across the watershed.

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This is a release from the City of Ottawa.

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The Rideau Valley watershed includes portions of nearly all wards in the City of Ottawa. However, the current low water conditions are only impacting residents who receive their drinking water via a private drinking water system (for example, groundwater wells). The current low water conditions are not impacting the City’s central drinking water.

Reducing Water Usage

As per standard process, RVCA is responsible for communicating low water conditions to impacted residents via their website, social media and press releases. Information for residents is also being shared on the Extreme Dry Conditions page on ottawa.ca, which will be updated regularly.

Residents and businesses who receive their drinking water via a private drinking water system in the impacted areas are strongly encouraged to reduce their overall water use and suspend non essential water activities until the Conservation Authorities notify the public that natural supplies have recovered. Holders of Permits to Take Water are also strongly encouraged to reduce withdrawals wherever possible.

The City of Ottawa will be modifying irrigation operations within the Rideau Valley watershed to reduce well water use in response to the current low water conditions. Staff will continue to monitor conditions before a decision is made to return to regular operations.

Since a private well is a personal water source on private property, neither the City nor the Conservation Authorities have the authority to enforce reduced water usage. It is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to manage their water use responsibly and to follow the recommendations of the Conservation Authorities.

Recommended actions on how residents can manage their wells in low water and reduce their water consumption can be found on the Conservation Authority’s website: Current Watershed Conditions – RVCA . Residents are encouraged to report any notable environmental impacts, such as affected wildlife, agriculture and extreme low water conditions in streams or wetlands to their local Conservation Authority.

Residents with dry wells requiring water to fill containers can access City of Ottawa arenas and community centres during regular operating hours. Residents requiring access to shower facilities can go to any municipal pool during operating hours. A list of facilities and schedules can be found here: Place listing | City of Ottawa.

Impacts to the City’s Municipal Drinking Water Systems

The City’s central drinking water system is not impacted by the current low water conditions, and staff do not expect that there will be impacts. The two drinking water treatment facilities at Lemieux and Britannia draw less than 1% of the Ottawa River’s flow, so there is ample raw water supply.

The City’s six communal well systems have not experienced water capacity constraints thus far. However, to support the recommendations of our local Conservation Authorities, it is recommended that residents in the communities of Carp, Munster, Richmond, Greely and Vars follow the recommended water conservation measures of the applicable Conservation Authority. The capacity of water available is determined by the amount of raw water available from the groundwater source, the amount that can be drawn under the Permit to Take Water, and the rated capacity of the treatment facility. Staff continue to monitor our communal well systems and do not anticipate impacts at this time.

In the rare event of impacts to a City drinking water system, the General Manager of Infrastructure and Water Services has delegated authority to restrict water use as per the City of Ottawa’s Water By-law. Council would be notified and engaged prior to any restrictions.

The City of Ottawa is in regular communication with the local Conservation Authorities and Provincial Ministries and participates in the low water responses team for the most up-to-date information. Staff continue to monitor the ongoing extreme dry weather conditions and are prepared to respond should impacts to the City’s central drinking water system or communal well systems arise. .

Tammy Rose

General Manager, Infrastructure and Water Services

City of Ottawa

cc: Wendy Stephanson, City Manager

Senior Leadership Team

Chief Communications Officer

Medical Officer of Health