The provincial government has downgraded the eastern Vancouver Island drought ranking to Level 2, as cooler temperatures and precipitation arrive, helping streamflow levels recover after a sustained drought period.
In response, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will move to stage two restrictions immediately, except the Decourcey Water Service Area, which will remain at stage four until further notice, according to a release from the regional district.
On Oct. 1 the RDN will transition to stage one, as per the regional watering restrictions framework.
Under stage two restrictions, sprinkling of lawns and gardens is permitted on even and odd days based on house number, for a total of two hours between 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.
Car washing, fountain or hot tub filling and outdoor surface washing may also resume. Hand-watering or vegetable garden watering may occur at any time, any day, according to the release.
Stage one permits sprinkling any day of the week only between 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Unless otherwise stated, all watering restrictions will be lifted on Nov. 1, 2021, the release said.
“The RDN thanks residents for doing their part to conserve water during the hot, dry summer we experienced. Reducing non-essential water use helped retain water for our aquatic environments, our fire protection and essential household use,” reads the release.
The City of Parksville is at stage three watering restrictions and the Town of Qualicum Beach does not have any watering restrictions, although conservation is always encouraged.
