Recent rainfall has all-but ended the drought which gripped the mid-Island. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DROUGHT LEVELS

Regional District of Nanaimo scales back water restrictions following heavy rains

Sep 23, 2021 | 11:18 AM

NANAIMO — The drought which gripped the mid-Island through the warm, summer months is officially over.

Multiple rounds of rainfall in recent weeks allowed the Regional District of Nanaimo to move down to stage two water restrictions, effective immediately, with a forecasted transition to step one on Oct. 1.

The changes affect all RDN service areas, French Creek, North Cedar and Bowser and restricts watering to even or odd days, based on a home’s address. Watering can also only occur between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the designated days.

The City of Nanaimo, Parksville, District of Lantzville and Qualicum Bay Horne Lake Waterworks remain in stage three, as of Thursday, Sept. 23 which encourages additional, but voluntary, water use reductions.

The largest recent rainfall recorded at the monitoring station at Nanaimo Airport was on Sept. 17 where 31.5 millimetres fall, part of nearly 48 millimetres captured over a four day stretch.

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Rainfall collected on Sept. 17 was more than the airport measured in all days combined dating back to the middle of June.

A water usage guide from the RDN, categorized by various levels of restrictions. (RDN)

The lack of rainfall also pushed eastern Vancouver Island to the highest possible drought level, as measured by the province.

As of Sept. 22, the region was downgraded to a two on the province’s five-step scale.

Provincial drought levels across B.C., as measured by the Water Management Branch, part of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. (BC Government)

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