The CVRD operates 19 water systems throughout the region (map). For specific information about any particular water system, please contact Engineering Services at 250.746.2530 or Email

Map

Map

There are 9 private water systems providing water to households within the region. While users of these water systems are encouraged to follow regional water use restrictions, they should contact the local system operators for information on any specific regulations which may apply to their system. (map)

These areas are often too large to be effectively irrigated within the allowed sprinkling times. Also, most playing fields are built on a sand base for better drainage. Turf grown on a sand base can die if not watered. Due to the high replacement costs of playing fields and large irrigated grass areas, the local governments currently believe it is poor use of public money to let it die due to lack of watering. Irrigation to turf is shut down in most municipal, community and regional parks during Stage 3 watering restrictions. In addition, the your local governments are reducing the amount of irrigation to sports fields with limited use; however, fields must be maintained at an acceptable level to avoid liability concerns.

Residents can use a bucket, spring-loaded spray nozzle or micro/drip irrigation to water trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables on any day of the week during Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 water use restrictions. It is suggested that watering take place between 7-9 am and 7-9 pm in order to reduce evaporation and increase efficiency.

Vehicles and boats can be washed at any time during Stage 1 and Stage 2 water use restrictions. To prevent the unnecessary wasting of water boats and cars must be washed with a hose equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle and a bucket filled with water. Washing is not permitted during Stage 3 restrictions.

New lawns should be planted in the spring to avoid excessive use of artificial irrigation during the drier summer months when water is limited. New lawns require a Sprinkling or Garden Irrigation Permit in order to exempt them from Stage 1 water use restrictions. Permits are issued at the discretion of each local government. Information can be obtained by contacting your local government (see contacts below).Permits may be issued for 21 days where new sod has been planted or where the lawn will be grown from seed.  Sprinkling or Garden Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2 and Stage 3 water use restrictions.

Yes. The restrictions apply to all sprinkling systems.  A soaker hose has holes emitting water at all angles around the hose which operate at full pressure resulting in significant evaporation.  For this reason, a soaker hose is considered a type of sprinkler system.

Only a system using less than 20 gallons per hour which operates at less than 25 psi to deliver water to the root zone of the plant material is considered to be Micro irrigation or Drip irrigation. Weeper hoses are considered as micro/drip irrigation but soaker hoses are not. A soaker hose has holes emitting water at all angles around the hose which operate at full pressure resulting in more evaporation. A weeper hose emits water through pores in the rubber and does not spray into the air resulting in better water efficiency.

Conservation measures for these methods of irrigation are less stringent as they reduce evaporation losses by delivering the water directly to where the plants need them as well as having significantly lower flow ratings than other methods of irrigation.  For the reasons stated above these types of systems are allowed to operate at any time of day for a maximum of 4 hours per day during water restriction stages 1, 2 and 3.

A soaker hose has holes emitting water at all angles around the hose which operate at full pressure resulting in more evaporation. A weeper hose emits water through pores in the rubber and does not spray into the air resulting in better water efficiency.

Soaker hoses must follow the rules for sprinklers (2 hours per day between 7-9 am or pm during stage 1 and 2; not allowed in Stage 3).  Weeper hoses are considered micro or drip irrigation and can be used for up to 4 hours per day in all stages.

Watering during the morning and evening reduces the amount of evaporation that occurs from the lawns, sprinklers and soil.

Stage 1 allows outdoor surfaces including houses to be hosed down; Stage 2 and Stage 3 do not allow for hosing down of outdoor surfaces.

Water rates and fees vary in range per year per household, depending on where you live. Increased demands in water consumption result in increased costs for pumping and treating water and eventually result in the need for upgrading of infrastructure which could increase rates substantially. Additionally, our water sources are not infinite and using less water benefits other system users and the environment that these sources support.

The watering day is dependent on the address of the strata and not the unit number.

Yes, during Stage 1 and Stage 2; please ensure the water is shut off when playtime is finished. These Stages allow recreational use of sprinkling systems. Stage 3 is a complete watering ban that includes recreational use.

Your lawn will naturally go dormant and turn brown during a hot, dry spell. A good rainfall or cooler weather may help revive your lawn. Watering lawns sparingly or not at all during the summer months saves one household up to 17,000 litres.

The water use restrictions must be met; automated sprinkler systems that cannot be programmed to comply with the restrictions will have to be manually operated.

It is expected that the watering restrictions will be followed. Lawn fertilization is most effective when applied in fall, early spring and late spring. Fertilizer is more likely to harm your lawn then help it during a period of drought. If you do plan to fertilize your lawn during the summer months it is best wait until the forecast predicts steady light rain.

Water restrictions do not apply to those homes on private wells or water sources. However property owners are encouraged to be good environmental stewards and follow the water use restrictions to conserve this vital resource. Aquifers are, for the most part, interconnected with river flows or neighbouring properties water resources, therefore, the more everyone can reduce their water usage, the better.

Wasting water includes allowing water to run excessively or unnecessarily to waste. Some examples include:

• Allowing irrigated water to puddle or run off a lawn into the storm drain system
• Allowing irrigation water to be sprayed onto a paved surface such as sidewalks, driveways, roadways, curbs, or gutters
• Washing of vehicles with a hose not equipped with spring-loaded nozzle or shut off valve at the discharge end of the hose.

Sprinkling regulations are meant to reduce water use in ways that do not cause serious economic hardship. Those users requiring water as part of a commercial operation are expected to conserve as much water as possible without resulting in a loss of business.

Reports can be made to the appropriate local government or water district via telephone, e-mail or in person (see contacts below). Please record the address and street that the violation has occurred at as well as the time and type of violation.

Reports of a violation are followed up by making contact with the homeowner and providing them with the details of the violation and educational materials. If non-compliance continues, operational staff will give a warning notice to the homeowner. Every person who fails to comply with water use restrictions is guilty of an offense and on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000.

Engineering Services Department

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Telephone: 250.746.2530 or 1.800.665.3955

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Telephone: 250.746.6126

Engineering Department

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Telephone: 250.746.3128

Public Works Office

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Telephone: 250.245.6445

Bylaw Enforcement

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Telephone: 250.245.6446

Public Works and Engineering

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Telephone: 250.749.6681