City now has enough water to get through winter but says long-term issues remain.
The City of Dawson Creek has lifted a long-running state of local emergency (SOLE) over a lack of drinking water in its reserves, but warns restrictions and longer-term water access issues remain.
The SOLE was first declared in October 2025 when the Kiskatinaw River, the city's only source of water, hit record lows after four straight years of drought. Located about 10 kilometres west of Dawson Creek, the waterway provides drinking water for 15,000 people in the city and surrounding area.
The SOLE was renewed multiple times over the winter and lasted more than 170 days before being lifted on Feb. 17.
"The decision follows a review by the City’s Emergency Operations Team," the city said in a release. "Dawson Creek currently has more than 170 days of water in storage, which is enough to carry the community through the spring season."
The statement also said the city now has a plan to transfer water over land should water from the river become unavailable, and said the plan can be "activated quickly to maintain water service if needed."
But the end of the SOLE does not mean the city's water worries are completely over.
Restrictions on water usage remain in place, including a ban on hauling bulk water for use in fracking or other oil and gas activities, the refilling of hot tubs and limitations on outdoor water usage such as watering lawns.
Long term, the city is hoping to fast-track the construction of an estimated $100-million water pipeline connecting its reservoirs to an alternative water source.
The province says a detailed plan must be submitted by year's end in order for fast-tracking to be considered.
-Andrew Kurjata/CBC
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