Despite a growing population, water use in Abbotsford and Mission remains stable.
The two municipalities' joint water system saw consumption dip by about two per cent compared to the previous year, with residents and businesses using about 24.2 billion litres in 2016.
Of the six years since 2011, that figure was the third lowest. It was slightly above consumption seen in 2012 and 2014, but below usage in 2015, when a prolonged drought saw the system use 24.7 billion litres.
Water usage in Mission last year dropped three per cent, while Abbotsford consumers used 1.5 per cent less water than in 2015. Still, the share of water used by Mission has grown slightly from 2011.
The amount of water consumed is less than in 2011, when the publicly overwhelmingly rejected a proposed new source at Stave Lake.
Still, despite the steady water use, the Abbotsford Mission Water and Sewer Commission has undertaken a new study of supply options with an eye on long-term options as the population of Abbotsford slowly grows toward the 200,000 mark envisioned in the city's new official community plan.