Outdoor watering restrictions elevate to stage 2 for many areas within the RDN on Thursday, May 1 (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Turn taps tightly

Water conservation season ramps up across mid-Island

Apr 30, 2025 | 1:41 PM

NANAIMO — With the potential for another long, dry summer fast-approaching, increased water usage restrictions are taking effect across the mid-Island.

A vast majority of residents between Cedar and Deep Bay shift from stage 1 to 2 outdoor watering restrictions on Thursday, May 1, as part of a regional outdoor water conservation framework.

Erica Forssman, Regional District of Nanaimo drinking water and watershed protection program coordinator, said extending restrictions by two months (starting on April 1 through Oct. 31) is a new addition this year.

“…just following the trends that we see in drought season and getting people ready for that dry time of year when we really do see a dip in the water levels: surface and groundwater resources across the region,” Forssman told NanaimoNewsNOW.

2025 Regional Outdoor Water Conservation Framework (RDN)

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The framework of restrictions is uniformed for all RDN member municipalities and electoral areas, however they are enacted at varying times depending on local water supply.

Restricting water usage is particularly key for groundwater customers, which Forssman estimates impacts about half of the RDN’s population, including some Parksville customers, as well as all of Qualicum Beach and the rural electoral areas.

Observations of groundwater levels are being done at this time, Forssman noted.

“We put together a pre-summer water level analysis report that looks at groundwater across the region, usually in mid-June that goes out to the public and to those water service providers across the region so they can be prepped for the summer season.”

While drought conditions improved through the winter regionally, Forssman cautioned the somewhat favourable outlook can quickly change.

The province in early April reported Vancouver Island’s snowpack had surged to 86 per cent of normal, above the provincial average of 79 per cent.

“We do really see that we can get through that drought season with a lot of those water sources intact and really try to make that connection as well that this is about ecological services of that drinking water, so how that water is connected to streams, creeks and for fish habitat.”

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