Stage 3 Watering Restrictions for All RDN Water Service Areas

News Release - August 10, 2018

Stage 3 Watering Restrictions for All RDN Water Service Areas

Due to continued hot dry weather and extreme fire risk, as of Saturday August 11, Stage 3 Watering Restrictions will take effect in all 9 RDN Water Service Areas including Nanoose Bay Peninsula, to prompt further reduction of water demand. Following watering conservation and restrictions are critical in order to maintain water supply for fire protection, essential household use and environmental flows in streams.

On August 8, Stage 4 Watering Restrictions were temporarily implemented in the RDN's Nanoose Bay Peninsula Water Service Area due to a pump failure at the Craig Bay Pump Station, which supplies water from the Englishman River in Parksville to Nanoose Bay. RDN Water Services staff have successfully replaced the failed pump, Nanoose Bay water customers are now moving to Stage 3 restrictions, in line with the other RDN Water Service Areas. The City of Parksville, EPCOR French Creek and North Cedar Improvement District are also at Stage 3 Watering Restrictions.

Under Stage 3 Watering Restrictions, residents are requested to further reduce water use on top of Stage 2. Permitted watering times are still between 7- 10 AM OR 7 -10 PM for a maximum of two hours total per day, on even days for even numbered houses and on odd days for odd numbered houses. Stage 3 offers flexibility for residents to decide where and how they further cut back on water use, however it is critical that swift reductions are observed in order to defer a Stage 4 comprehensive watering ban.

Here are some helpful ways to cut back on water use while in Stage 3:

  • Reduce lawn irrigation by decreasing sprinkler run times, cutting back on the number of watering days and refraining from sprinkling certain lawn areas. Lawns naturally go dormant in the summer months and return with fall rains.
  • Avoid washing vehicles or boats unnecessarily, unless for safety reasons (windows and headlights).
  • Sweep outdoor surfaces with a broom rather than using a hose or power washing.
  • Retrofit old, inefficient irrigation systems.
  • Add mulch/topsoil to aid in landscape water retention so you can decrease sprinkler run times.

The RDN appreciates everyone's efforts to conserve water - every drop counts! Information about watering restrictions in the region, along with additional water conservation resources can be found at www.rdn.bc.ca/watering-restriction-map or www.teamwatersmart.ca.

 

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Contact:

RDN Water Services
250-390-6560
rcu [at] rdn.bc.ca (rcu[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca )