Via the Comox Valley Regional District
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) will be moving to Stage 3 water restrictions on Tuesday, June 23, due to BC Hydro reducing water flows down the Puntledge River. These restrictions will apply to any residence in the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, K’omoks First Nation and the Comox Valley Water Local Service Area.
The CVRD water license requires the community to move to Stage 3 water restrictions when BC Hydro reduces flow in the Puntledge River to below 11.3 cubic metres per second. The significant reduction in water flows this year is a result of lower-than-normal snowpack and precipitation levels.
“This is the earliest our community has been required to move to Stage 3 water restrictions,” says General Manager of Engineering Services Kris La Rose. “As we head into the summer, it’s important that residents do their part to protect river health and ensure there is enough water available for environmental, domestic and fire protection needs.”
The CVRD and municipal bylaw enforcement will be on patrol, issuing tickets for those not following water conservation bylaw requirements during this time.
Stage 3 water restriction requirements
During Stage 3 water restrictions, no lawn watering is permitted at any time. Residents are also prohibited from pressure washing driveways and boulevards; filling a swimming pool, hot tub or garden pond; or washing a vehicle or boat other than in a commercial car wash or car dealership.
Residents are allowed to water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day at any time only if watering is done with a hand-held container, a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation/drip-irrigation systems.
Potential for further water restrictions
The CVRD will be required to move to Stage 4 water restrictions if BC Hydro takes the unprecedented step of reducing flow in the Puntledge River to below 5.7 cubic metres per second. By making significant shifts in water use during Stage 3 restrictions, residents and businesses can help avoid a shift to more impactful reductions during the warmer months ahead.
For more details about permitted and banned activities under Stage 3, visit comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.
For more information on why water restrictions are necessary, visit comoxvalleyrd.ca/whyweneedrestrictions.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.