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Stage 3 Water Restrictions Now in Effect for the Comox Valley Water System

The Comox Valley Water System is now under Stage 3 water restrictions until September 28, 2020. BC Hydro is draining their Penstock for planned maintenance repairs as it does each September, which requires the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to move to its emergency back-up pump station to draw water from the Puntledge River for the entire duration.

August 21 News Release - Stage 3 Restrictions

During Stage 3 water restrictions, residential lawn and garden watering with a sprinkler is not permitted at any time. Residents are also prohibited from 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. 

Watering trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm - 10 pm is permitted, if watering is done using a hand-held container or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Accepted and Prohibited Activities

For more information about accepted and prohibited water use during each stage of water restrictions, please click on the drop down menus below.

Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Even AddressOdd Address

Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of
5 am - 8 am and 7 pm -10 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours
of 5 am - 8 am and 7 pm -10 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

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

Stage 2 Water Restrictions
Even addressOdd address

Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours
of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm on Tuesday and Saturday.

Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours
of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm on Wednesday and Sunday.

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

Stage 3 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 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

Why Do We Need Water Restrictions?

These restrictions are necessary to help ensure there is enough water available for fish flows, domestic needs and fire protection.

Residents connected to the Comox Valley Water System rely on water drawn from Comox Lake through BC Hydro power generation infrastructure. We are fortunate to have Comox Lake as the source for our drinking water, but the lake does not offer an infinite supply of fresh water. Learn more about why water restrictions are needed.

Local Service Area Restrictions

Royston Water Service, Denman Island Water Service and Black Creek-Oyster Bay Water Service are connected to separate water systems and may have different restrictions in place. Click the button below to read about water restrictions in these communities.

Water Local Service Area Restrictions

Related Bylaws

Reporting Water Restriction Infractions

To report water restriction infractions, please contact:

City of Courtenay

Email
Tel: 250-334-4441

CVRD or Town of Comox

Email
Tel: 250-334-6006

Household Reference Guide for Water Restrictions