The Regional District of Nanaimo has updated their water conservation framework to extend the restriction period and limited the number of days residents can water their lawns. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

water use

RDN adjusts water consumption rules as level three restrictions come into effect

Jul 18, 2024 | 10:00 AM

NANAIMO — The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has made changes to their stage three water restrictions.

Stage three water restrictions are now in effect for all of the RDN’s water service areas, except for Decourcey. The City of Parksville is also in stage three, while the City of Nanaimo is stage two and the Town of Qualicum Beach remains at stage one.

Recent changes to the RDN’s rules include limiting lawn watering to only one day per week, with odd-numbered houses allowed on Mondays, while Thursdays will be for even-numbered houses.

The water restriction period was extended, to span from April 1 to Oct. 31, aligning with recent trends of longer and hotter spring and summers. Previous restrictions would typically run from May 1 until the end of September, unless ended sooner.

The RDN said stage three restrictions allow residents some flexible options to voluntarily further reduce their water consumption, including only washing the necessary parts of a vehicle or boat for safety, such as the windows and headlights.

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Washing of cars and boats is now allowed at level four, but a shut-off nozzle must be used in accordance with the odd/even watering schedule.

They also suggest using a broom to clean decks our sidewalks instead of a hose, fix any water or irrigation systems which may be leaking, and adding topsoil to flower beds to help retain water.

Watering of vegetable gardens and drip irrigation are exempt from restrictions.

A map of water service areas including current watering restrictions can be found on the RDN website, along with water conservation tips.

Drought conditions on eastern Vancouver Island were raised to level four according to the Province, meaning adverse effects caused by drought are likely.

They said 23 per cent of the province is currently at a level four.

Drought condition levels are a separate metric from water restriction stages.

Meanwhile, the western side of the Island remains at drought level three.

Some rain in June helped ease drought concerns a bit, but a prolonged heat wave with an almost complete lack of rain in July.

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