Water Restrictions - Comox Valley Water System

During Stage 1 Restrictions:

A person may only use a sprinkler to water a lawn or garden growing on a property with:

• An even numbered address – Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
•  An odd numbered address – Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
• Local governments may use a sprinkler to water parks, ornamental lawns and grassed boulevards between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am on even numbered days for even numbered addresses and odd numbered days for odd numbered addresses.​

Learn More About Stage 1 Water Restrictions

During Stage 2 Restrictions

A person may only use a sprinkler to water a lawn and garden growing on a property with:

• An even numbered address – On Tuesday and Saturday between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm - 10 pm. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time
• An odd numbered address – On Wednesday and Sunday between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
• Local government may use a sprinkler to water parks, ornamental lawns and grassed boulevards between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am on even numbered days for even numbered addresses and odd numbered days for odd numbered addresses.

Learn More About Stage 2 Water Restrictions

UNDER STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS NO LAWN  WATERING IS PERMITTED

During Stage 3 Water Restrictions:

• No person shall:
  • water a lawn or boulevard;
  • fill or add water to a swimming pool, hot tub or garden pond;
  • fill or add water to or operate a decorative fountain at any time; or
  • wash a vehicle or a boat with water.

Learn More About Stage 3 Water Restrictions

STAGE 4 – EXTREME CONDITIONS

During stage 4 water restrictions, all use of water for any purpose other than drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene is strictly prohibited.

• Prohibited uses include:
  • Watering lawns, gardens, plants and trees in any manner or by any means, including watering by hand
  • Filling or topping off or operating residential or commercial pools, hot tubs, ponds or fountains
  • Operating local government outdoor water parks and pools
  • Washing vehicles, boats or outdoor surfaces
  • Irrigating golf courses and other public and/or school district property
• Where reasonably possible, swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains and ponds should be drained for health and safety purposes and such water used for irrigation.
• No new lawn permit shall be issued during Stage 4, and no new lawn permit, whenever issued, shall be valid during Stage 4.

Exceptions to Stage 4 Restrictions:

• Spot cleaning of vehicles and boats with a sponge and bucket for health and safety reasons (windows, lights, license plates, etc.) is permitted.
• Local government watermain and hydrant maintenance is permitted, but only for unscheduled safety or public health reasons.
• Irrigating local government all-weather playing fields is permitted.
• Water use is permitted for farm and agricultural operations, but only for livestock drinking purposes.
• Cleaning outdoor surfaces is only authorized when required by law to comply with health or safety regulations, or to comply with an order of a regulatory authority having jurisdiction, such as WorkSafeBC or a public health inspector.
• Water use is permitted for firefighting.

Learn More About Stage 4 Water Restrictions