Stage 3 water restrictions for all Regional District of Nanaimo Water Service Areas as of June 15, 2023. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

voluntary restrictions

Mid Island residents encouraged to consume less water, additional voluntary reductions applied

Jun 14, 2023 | 1:32 PM

NANAIMO — Despite seeing a bit of rain on Vancouver Island the last few days, area residents are being asked to dial down their water consumption.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced starting Thursday, June 15, stage 3 water restrictions come into effect for nine smaller RDN Water Service Areas, except for the Decourcey Island customers which will remain in stage 4.

Stage 3 restrictions are similar to stage 2, which the RDN put into place at the end of April.

The City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, and Bowser Waterworks remain in stage 2, while the Town of Qualicum Beach is still in stage 1.

The Deep Bay Improvement District and Qualicum Bay Horne Lake Waterworks currently have no water restrictions in place.

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Stage 3 restrictions are any additional consumption reductions people can make beyond stage 2 restrictions during a prolonged stretch stretch of hot and dry weather.

Stage 2 restrictions features only watering lawns on even days for even-numbered houses, and on odd days for odd-numbered houses for a maximum of two hours daily.

Sprinkling is only permitted for a two-hour maximum between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., with vegetable gardens and fruit trees exempt from all watering restrictions.

Watering of other ornamental shrubs, flowers, and trees are restricted to a hand-held container or hose equipped with a shut-off novel during permitted watering times.

Washing of boats, vehicles and the exterior of buildings follows similar rules; hand-held containers or a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle will still be permitted.

The washing of sidewalks and driveways is still permitted, as well as the filling of swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, and other water features.

Mid Island creeks and streams in the region are experiencing low flow conditions and fire risk remains a chief concern with no significant rainfall in the immediate forecast.

A map of water services areas, including their current watering restrictions, is available here.

For tips on water conservation, visit teamwatersmart.ca.

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