Starting Friday, July 3, the City of Parksville is moving to stage four water restrictions, while the Town of Ladysmith moves up to stage three. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

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Increased water restrictions coming for Parksville and Ladysmith

Jul 2, 2026 | 4:21 PM

PARKSVILLE — While a day of rain was a welcome relief on Thursday, mid-Island communities are still planning to increase their water conservation efforts.

Starting Friday, July 3, the City of Parksville is moving to stage four water restrictions, while the Town of Ladysmith goes to stage three.

For Parksville residents, stage four restrictions mean a comprehensive watering ban, with no lawn watering activities permitted, save for drip or micro irrigation for vegetable gardens and fruit trees, which is only allowed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on assigned days.

The City said these actions are being taken to ensure a high-quality water supply for residents due to continued drought conditions, little rain in the immediate forecast, and to maintain in-stream flow requirements for the Englishman River.

More information on Parksville’s water conservation efforts can be found here on their website.

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Increased water restrictions coming for Parksville and Ladysmith

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In Ladysmith, stage three restrictions also mean the watering of lawns and gardens is not permitted, with a two-hour, hand-watering or drip-irrigation exception allowed for vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

While top-ups to pools and hot tubs are allowed in this stage, the washing of vehicles, boats, homes, driveways and sidewalks will be under permitted commercial use only.

The City of Nanaimo remains under stage three water restrictions, implemented at the start of June, while areas in the Regional District of Nanaimo vary from stage four restrictions in the Lantzville area, to stage three in areas north, with the French Creek area still in stage two, and Qualicum Beach remaining in stage one.

According to the provincial drought map, eastern Vancouver Island remains at drought level four as of Thursday, July 2, the second-highest rating, with water scarcity levels currently high for French Creek.

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by Jordan Davidson

Increased water restrictions coming for Parksville and Ladysmith

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