Effective May 1, customers of the nine RDN Water Service Areas will begin following Stage 2 watering restrictions. Stage 2 restrictions will be in effect through September unless otherwise advised by the city.
With Stage 2, sprinkling can only occur on even days for even-numbered houses and on odd days for odd-numbered houses. Sprinkling is permitted between either 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m., for a maximum of two hours per day.
“Although it has been a rainy spring so far, dry summer conditions will be here soon,” the RDN noted in a written announcement Thursday. “Incremental watering restrictions are implemented each year in May by most water purveyors in the region to provide a proactive and predictable framework to guide sprinkling practices as we prepare for the dry summer period. Taking conservation measures early, before our water supplies come under stress, is essential to ensure we can maintain an adequate water supply throughout the hot dry summers we have come to expect.”
Earlier in the week, the City of Parksville announce its move to Stage 2 restrictions.
In addition to the nine RDN Water Service Areas (Nanoose Bay Peninsula, Englishman River Community (River’s Edge), French Creek/Sandpiper, San Pareil, Whisky Creek, Westurne Heights, Melrose Terrace, Decourcey (Pylades), and Surfside) other local water providers that are moving to Stage 2 Restrictions on May 1 include:
• City of Nanaimo
• City of Parksville
• EPCOR French Creek
• Bowser Waterworks District
• North Cedar Improvement District
• Southwest Extension Waterworks District
The Town of Qualicum Beach, which has not been on any restriction to date, will move to Stage 1 on May 15. Lantzville will move to Stage 1 on May 1. Other water service areas are not implementing restrictions at this time, the RDN release stated.
Other Stage 2 watering restrictions include:
• Vegetable gardens and fruit trees — are exempt from all watering restrictions.
• Watering of ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees — are restricted to a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle if watered outside of the times permitted.
• Washing of vehicles, boats and buildings — vehicles, boats and exterior building surfaces may be washed using City supplied potable water using a hand-held container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
• Washing of sidewalks and driveways — persons may use City supplied potable water to wash sidewalks, driveways or parking lots.
• Swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs and water features — may be filled with water.
Please note vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions and businesses which require water for operations are also exempt.
For more information on the water restriction stages for the region and a map that displays the water service areas including their current watering restrictions, visit www.teamwatersmart.ca.
The City of Parksville reported that, between April and October, water restrictions are necessary to meet current water supply demands for drinking, fire protection and irrigation. The City will implement water restrictions in the form of four stages.
Stage 1: April and October consists of night-time lawn watering only, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Stage 2: May through September limits use to “even and odd day” watering.
Stage 3: Voluntary reductions on top of Stage 2.
Stage 4: Bans non-essential water use.
— RDN and City of Parksville submissions