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'Severe' water usage restrictions beginning April 6 in much of Comox Valley

Due to BC Hydro’s spring maintenance on the Puntledge River generating station, Comox Valley water system users will be affected by severe restrictions beginning Wednesday.

Due to BC Hydro’s spring maintenance on the Puntledge River generating station, Comox Valley water system users will be affected by severe restrictions beginning Wednesday.The system will supply water to consumers via standby pumping stations from April 6 at 8 a.m. until April 14 at 4:30 p.m., the Comox Valley Regional District said this week.To maintain enough water in the system during this time for household and fire fighting needs, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) will move to stage three water restrictions. Residents are asked to use water only when completely necessary.  During stage three the following seasonal activities are prohibited:  • Watering lawns (with manual or automatic sprinklers) or pressure washing driveways or boulevards at any time;• Filling or adding water to a hot tub or garden pond at any time;• Washing a vehicle or a boat at any time.Who this applies to:  • Everyone living in the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road, Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent water local service areas. All of these areas are served by the Comox Valley water system.  Health regulations require that consumer and business users be aware that the water might be turbid (cloudy) if heavy rains occur. There may be slight discolouration of the water during and after this period. The medical health officer recommends that if this occurs, the water be brought to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consuming. Consumers using water during this time should be aware that water quality could change rapidly.It is advisable to keep an ample supply of potable water on hand or in your refrigerator during the time indicated above. Taste and odour of the water may be affected by the addition of extra chlorine while pumping from the Puntledge River.  "Residents living near the pump station can expect some noise from the engines while water is being pumped from the river," the CVRD said. "We apologize to residents who may be affected."  For more information on the current restrictions including the three stage bylaw, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.— Comox Valley Regional District