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Stage 4 Watering Restrictions in Effect in the Regional District of Nanaimo

Stage 4 Watering Restrictions in Effect in the Regional District of Nanaimo

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2024-07-24

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

Effective immediately until further notice, all Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Water Service Areas (WSAs) are under Stage 4 watering restrictions. Affected WSAs are Nanoose Bay Peninsula, River’s Edge, French Creek/Sandpiper, Surfside, San Pareil, Whiskey Creek, Westurne Heights, Melrose Terrace and Decourcey (Pylades).

On July 18, the provincial government elevated eastern Vancouver Island to Provincial Drought Level 4 due to low river and stream flow levels and below-average groundwater levels in some regional aquifers. The continued warmer and drier-than-seasonal conditions forecasted by Environment and Climate Change Canada will likely further impact water levels throughout the rest of the summer. As a result of these conditions, the Province is asking local water providers to implement increasingly stricter watering restrictions. Stage 4 restrictions help ensure the community’s essential water needs for drinking water, hygiene and fire protection are met, water flows for fish and aquatic habitats are maintained, and targeted water use reduction is achieved.

This comprehensive watering ban aims to reduce the current pressure from non-essential water use on surface water and groundwater sources vulnerable to ongoing drought. Water for new homes and businesses has been accounted for in development planning.

Stage 4 restricts the residential outdoor water use noted below and in the accompanying chart to achieve maximum water conservation:

  • No lawn sprinkling of any kind, including for newly seeded and sodded lawns
  • No washing of driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and exterior building surfaces
  • No filling of swimming pools, hot tubs and garden pond water features

Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions, even in Stage 4. Drip irrigation is permitted between 7 a.m. and 10 am or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hand watering of gardens is allowed but must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device. Commercial enterprises that require water use for normal business activities are exempt. Private wells are not subject to these watering restrictions, but conservation is encouraged as water is a shared resource.

Water system capacity and conditions vary across the region. Not all water providers will be moving to Stage 4 at this time. A map of water service areas, including their current watering restrictions, can be viewed at rdn.bc.ca/watering-restriction-map. For tips on water conservation, visit teamwatersmart.ca.