Should the drought continue in the months ahead, the Winkler Aquifer could play a significant role in taking pressure off the Pembina Valley Water Co-op (PVWC) regional system.

City Manager, Jody Penner, explained, the strategy involves conserving the amount of water being drawn from the aquifer, turning it into storage for water that could be used in the future.

"For example, if Winkler takes more water now from the Pembina Valley Co-op, that saves drawing water from the aquifer," he said. "When we reduce that draw, it also saves the water so that we can use it in the event we don't get a big snowfall over winter or more rain, we'd then be called on next year to supply water to the Morden region, and take less from from the PVWC next year."

Penner noted, Winkler likely couldn't supply all of Morden's needs in this scenario, but said however, it's about diversification.

"(The City) can still supply some of their needs, and we can help the PVWC," he said. "It just means, if we all work together, then we can hopefully get through the drought."

"Boundary Trails hospital is also on that same line that is supplied water from the PVWC, so that would be high priority as well," added Penner.

As a result, officials are trying to protect the underground storage, as well as Lake Minnewasta. The cities of Winkler and Morden, along with the R.M. of Stanley, are asking residents and businesses to further reduce use of potable and raw, untreated water.

According to a joint news release, the R.M. of Stanley has posted water reduction measures at all municipal bulk wells. The wells will remain open mainly for agricultural, livestock, and construction use.

In addition to each municipality's conservation plan, all three are implementing further measures including no lawn watering allowed from any municipal source of potable or non-potable water, and staff in each community have been directed to stop all landscape watering from Municipal potable or non-potable sources.