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CVRD now in Stage 2 watering restrictions

Watering of lawns and gardens limited to two hours a day
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Watering restrictions for all the watering systems operated by Cowichan Valley Regional District are now in place. (File photo)

As of Aug. 25, the province has increased the drought level to 3 for Vancouver Island prompting the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Municipality of North Cowichan to increase watering restrictions to Stage 2 due to the dry conditions.

In the CVRD, Stage 2 water restrictions that are now in place require that the watering of lawns and gardens only be permitted two hours a day between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesdays for even-numbered houses, and Sundays for odd-numbered houses.

It’s a little different in North Cowichan in which watering restrictions are set to begin on Aug. 29 and where sprinkling is restricted to between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday (even numbered houses), or Thursday and Sunday (odd numbered houses).

Hand watering of trees, shrubs, and gardens (with a spring-loaded nozzle or bucket) in North Cowichan will be restricted to a maximum of two hours per day, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., or 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

There are no restrictions on filling pools and hot tubs in the CVRD, and on washing vehicles and boats at this stage, but the washing of driveways, houses and sidewalks is only permitted under certain circumstances.

In North Cowichan, the washing driveways, houses, and sidewalks will not be permitted.

“While we experienced a wet spring and were more fortunate than our previous two summers, the recurring summer drought for eastern Vancouver Island has caught up with us and we now need to begin even more rigorous conservation measures,” said Todd Etherington, operations manager for the water management division of the CVRD.

“We encourage all residents on water systems to review the Stage 2 restrictions and ensure they are doing their part to appropriately manage this resource until our fall rains return and replenish our surface and ground water reservoirs.”

For more information on the CVRD’s water restrictions, check out cvrdnewnormalcowichan.ca/water-use-restrictions/