Regional District of Nanaimo implements Stage 4 water restrictions amid Drought Level 5

Regional District of Nanaimo implements Stage 4 water restrictions amid Drought Level 5
Province of B.C.
Vancouver Island is now in a Level 5 drought according to the province.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has upped its water restrictions to Stage 4 after the Province announced a Drought Level 5.

The new restrictions ban the watering of lawns and other outdoor uses including power washing, car-washing and hot tub, pool or fountain filling, according to the RDN. They say the restrictions are necessary to keep essential water for household use, fire protection and environmental flows.

The district says hand watering or drip irrigation is only permitted for fruit and vegetable gardens for a maximum of two hours per day between 7 and 10 a.m. or 7 and 10 p.m.

The move to stage 4 water restrictions comes as the province elevated Eastern Vancouver Island to Drought Level 5 on Friday, according to the RDN. A Drought Level 5 means that adverse impacts to ecosystems and communities are likely and require high water conservation, according to the province.

READ MORE: Chemainus River drying out amid Island-wide drought

The RDN says the restrictions don’t reflect a supply shortage but are designed as an early response.

“The heightened watering restrictions are not indicative of a water supply shortage within our communities,” said a press release from the RDN Friday. “Rather they reflect a proactive approach to conserve essential water in the face of ongoing drought conditions.”

A map of the affected areas can be found on the RDN website here.

The table shows watering stage restrictions for each community. The RDN says Nanaimo and Parksville are being fully supported by reservoir storage and aren’t in stage 4. (Regional District of Nanaimo)

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