The Town of Morris is asking residents to stagger their high-volume water use this summer to help maintain steady supplies and avoid the need for mandatory conservation measures. As the warm season approaches, the municipality is encouraging households to spread out tasks like watering lawns, washing homes, and filling swimming pools throughout the season rather than concentrating them during peak periods.
According to the Rural Municipality of Morris, water demand historically hits its highest point between late May and the end of June. During this time, the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, which provides treated water to Morris and 13 other municipalities, experiences a significant increase in usage as outdoor activities ramp up. The water is drawn from the Red River and distributed through the town’s 500,000-gallon reservoir, as noted by the Town of Morris.
Regional officials are emphasizing the importance of these voluntary habits to protect the supply against drought. While the region has robust flood protection, board chair Don Wiebe has noted that securing long-term drought protection remains a primary focus for the co-op. This call for conservation follows the 2021 drought, where low water levels in the Red River forced the regional provider to rely on temporary pumps and intakes for several months to maintain service.
Long-term improvements are currently underway to strengthen the system. The co-op is constructing a new intake pipe designed to reach deeper areas of the Red River, which is part of ongoing capital projects. Additionally, the provincial and federal governments announced a $76.9 million investment in November 2025 to support regional water and wastewater infrastructure, including $22 million specifically for co-op projects. While these updates are expected to improve future capacity, the town is relying on resident cooperation to manage demand until all planned expansions are completed later this decade.
