Low rainfall this fall affecting water levels in the Puntledge River
Residents connected to the Comox Valley Water System will be moving to Stage 3 water restrictions on Thursday, October 8, due to BC Hydro reducing water flow rates in the Puntledge River below 11.3 cubic metres per second after lower-than-expected rainfall this season. These restrictions will apply to any property in the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, K’ómoks First Nation, and the Comox Valley Water Local Service Area.
This marks the second move to Stage 3 in 2026 for the community, after BC Hydro increased river flows in early September due to early rainfall and average forecast projections. However, precipitation levels have since declined, and updated forecasts now indicate continued low rainfall through October.
“We hope residents were able to give their gardens a much-needed reprieve over the past month, but we now ask the community to once again reduce water usage to protect our water supply,” says Kris La Rose, General Manager of Engineering Services. “We recognize that these restrictions may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate the community’s ongoing efforts and continued cooperation to conserve water as we experience a drier-than-average fall.”
The CVRD and municipal bylaw enforcement will be on patrol, issuing tickets for those not following water conservation bylaw requirements during this time.
Stage 3 Water Restriction Requirements
During Stage 3 water restrictions, the following water uses are prohibited:
• Lawn watering in any way or time.
• 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.
Residents however are allowed to water trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day at any time only if watering is done with a hand-held container, a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation/drip-irrigation systems.
Potential for further water restrictions
The CVRD will be required to move to Stage 4 water restrictions if BC Hydro takes the unprecedented step of reducing flow in the Puntledge River to below 5.7 cubic metres per second. By making significant shifts in water use during Stage 3 restrictions, residents and businesses can help avoid a shift to more impactful reductions this year, should we continue to see lower-than-average rainfall into November.
For more details about permitted and banned activities under Stage 3, visit comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.
For more information on why water restrictions are necessary, visit comoxvalleyrd.ca/whyweneedrestrictions.
About the CVRD
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Kris La Rose
General Manager of Engineering Services
250-334-6083