The rain was falling on Friday morning, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Cowichan Valley Regional District from calling for Stage 2 water restrictions.
The restrictions come after the provincial announcement of level 3 drought conditions across Vancouver Island and are the result of its request for water conservation.
The restrictions apply to water systems serviced by the CVRD, local municipalities, Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Cowichan Bay Improvement District and Mill Bay Waterworks District.
Some specific water systems have already been under these restrictions and they will carry on as directed.
Effective immediately, sprinkler use is limited to 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays for even numbered houses and Thursdays and Sundays for odd numbered houses. No permits will be issued to water new lawns and hand watering trees and shrubs is limited to the same hours as sprinkler use up to a maximum of four hours per day. Washing houses, driveways and sidewalks is not permitted.
“The CVRD and its municipal partners will continue to monitor drought and fire risk conditions and will adjust the watering restrictions accordingly. Most of the CVRD is at the extreme or high fire danger level. Backyard burning and campfires are still banned throughout the Cowichan Region.
“The CVRD and its municipal partners will continue to monitor drought and fire risk conditions and will adjust the watering restrictions accordingly,” said a press release issued by the regional district. “Most of the CVRD is at the extreme or high fire danger level. Backyard burning and campfires are still banned throughout the Cowichan Region.”
For more information on water restrictions, drought conditions and fire risk conditions please visit cvrd.bc.ca/drought.