The Comox Valley Water System will move to Stage 3 water restrictions beginning Sept. 1 through to Sept. 28.
BC Hydro will be draining a penstock for planned maintenance repairs as it does each September, which requires the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to move to its emergency back-up pump station to draw water from the Puntledge River for the entire duration.
While BC Hydro conducts this type of maintenance work, a higher stage of water restrictions is required in order to ensure there is enough water available for indoor use and firefighting.
During Stage 3 water restrictions, residential lawn and garden watering with a sprinkler is not 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.
A person may:
- Water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. if watering is done by hand-held container or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
- Water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by hand-held container or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle during installation and at any time during the following 24 hours after installation is completed.
- Use micro-irrigation or drip-irrigation systems to water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Water all-weather playing fields at any time, but only if failure to do so will result in a permanent loss of plant material.
- Use water to wash sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, exterior windows, or exterior building surfaces, but only if necessary for applying a product such as paint, preservative, and stucco, preparing a surface prior to paving or repointing bricks, or if required by law to comply with health or safety regulations.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during these Stage 3 restrictions,” said Mike Herschmiller, Manager of Water Services. “We know it’s a significant period of time but we depend on everyone’s compliance to ensure our back-up system is able to provide enough water during this four-week stretch.”
For more details about permitted and prohibited activities under Stage 3 visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.
Stage 3 restrictions apply to the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay and the Comox Valley Water Local Service Area.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.