Comox Valley Regional District

Water Restrictions for the Comox Valley Water System

The Comox Valley Water System serves approximately 50,000 people (or 16,000 connections). Water from Comox Lake is currently drawn from the Puntledge River, and flows through a network of reservoirs, pumping stations and transmission mains or pipes. The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) supplies bulk water to distribution systems operated by the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and the Comox Valley Water Local Service Area. The CVRD also operates five other water systems within the Comox Valley.

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 Address	Odd 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

Every year on July 1st, the Comox Valley Water System will automatically move to Stage 2 Water Restrictions.

Even address	Odd address
Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 6 am - 7:30 am and 8 pm - 9:30 pm on Tuesday and Saturday.	Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 6 am - 7:30 am and 8 pm -9:30 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 - 7:30 am and 8 pm - 9:30 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 - 7:30 am and 8 pm - 9:30 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

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.
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw - ticket information and fines found on "schedule 19" (page 11)
- Comox Valley Water Conservation Bylaw

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Water Restrictions - Comox Valley Water System

Water Restrictions for the Comox Valley Water System

Accepted and Prohibited Activities

During Stage 1 Restrictions:

During Stage 2 Restrictions

During Stage 3 Water Restrictions:

STAGE 4 – EXTREME CONDITIONS

Exceptions to Stage 4 Restrictions:

Local Service Area Restrictions

City of Courtenay

CVRD or Town of Comox

Email

Tel: 250-334-6000