Current Status: Level 2
RRCA Declares Low Water Level 2 Status
Thursday, September 18, 2025 (1:00 PM)
The Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) is confirming the Low Water Level 1 issued on August 12, 2025, has been upgraded to a Level 2 status for the RRCA jurisdiction. Residents and businesses are asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 percent.
The RRCA monitors stream flows and precipitation data at gauges strategically placed throughout its jurisdiction in the City of Cornwall, and Townships of South Glengarry, North Glengarry, South Stormont, and North Stormont. A low water status is declared once monthly stream flows and/or precipitation are below an expected amount.
The RRCA Water Response Team, consisting of local representatives from municipal and provincial governments and other special interest groups, met on September 18, 2025, to discuss the current conditions and next steps. Team members reported residents with dry private wells in the region and observations of dried-up streams not typically dry this time of year.
In the RRCA watershed, half of the population relies on a groundwater source (i.e., a well) for their water. Low precipitation in the summer months can impair groundwater recharge. Data records indicate local precipitation for the past 3 months fell to approximately 60 percent of what the region normally receives this time of year, prompting the Team to upgrade to a Level 2 status.
Whether residents obtain their drinking water from a private well or municipal drinking water supply, the Team encourages all water users to practice water conservation to help reduce the severity of the low water conditions. Residents and businesses are asked to reduce their water consumption by 20 percent by limiting non-essential uses (e.g., lawn watering, car washing, etc.). Residents should also be aware of any municipal water conservation or fire bylaws in effect.
The RRCA will continue to monitor stream flows and precipitation as part of the Ontario Low Water Response Program and will provide updates as conditions change. For more information visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.
Water User Feedback Form
Are you being impacted by low water (i.e., is your well dry?). Please help the RRCA gauge local impacts of low water by filling out our water user feedback form.
Water Conservation Tips
• Repair any leaks in your home (e.g. taps and toilets)
• Reduce non-essential water usage such as lawn watering or car washing
• Only wash full loads of laundry or dishes
• Install a low consumption showerhead
• For farmers: monitor your irrigation systems for leaks, and consider irrigating closer to the evening to reduce evaporation loss
Water Conservation Fact Sheets
- Conserving Water Inside your Home
- Conserving Water Outside your Home
- Conserving Water on your Farm
- Managing your Well
- Water Smart – Protecting Water from Source to Tap
About Low Water Response and the RRCA
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) manages water use during a drought. Ontario’s Low Water Response Program ensures provincial and local authorities are prepared in the event of low water conditions. The Raisin Region Conservation Authority assists the ministry by assessing local watershed conditions and notifying residents.
The Raisin Region Conservation Authority monitors precipitation and water levels throughout Cornwall; South Glengarry; and large portions of North Glengarry and South Stormont.
About Low Water Notices
Normal
Flows are in the normal range and precipitation accumulation has been close to average.
Level 1
Flows are less than 70 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 80 per cent of average. Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 per cent.
Level 2
Flows are less than 50 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 60 per cent of average. The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change will send letters to holders of Permits to Take Water to ask them to voluntarily reduce their consumption by 20 per cent.
Level 3
Flows are less than 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 40 per cent of average. There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water.
In the event of a low water status of anything other than normal, the RRCA will issue a media release and advise our member municipalities. A local Water Response Team will be convened to inform the MNRF and the public.