This page provides information on:

• Current water restrictions by jurisdiction
• Details of regional water use restrictions
• Water restrictions FAQ

Water Use Restrictions

Current water restrictions by jurisdiction

While the CVRD and member municipalities have co-ordinated water use restrictions across the region, some Improvement Districts and private water systems may choose to apply different restrictions. In some instances, the characteristics of certain water sources may require certain water systems or jurisdictions to move to a higher stage of water use restrictions earlier than neighbouring communities. Click on the toggles below to determine the current water use restrictions for your area.

Use the map below to see which water system serves your property and what your current water use restrictions are.

Water Use Restrictions

Local governments use 4 levels of watering restrictions as shown below.  Note that private utilities are not managed by our system – please call your provider and inquire about their conservation program and possible water restrictions. Click here for a printable version of the water restrictions chart.

Watering Regulation Summary Table

Watering restrictions were updated in 2022. The regulations apply to the Municipality of North Cowichan, City of Duncan, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Tribes, Town of Lake Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith, Diamond Improvement District, Stz’uminus First Nation, Mill Bay Water District, and Cowichan Bay Waterworks.

Sprinkling and hand-watering is NOT permitted between 9:00am and 7:00pm. See the table below for water days and other restrictions.
Stage 1 Sprinkling 2 hours maximum, 2 days per week.
Stage 2 Sprinkling 2 hours maximum, 1 day per week.
Stage 3 NO SPRINKLING. Hand-watering  / Micro or drip irrigation subject to daily maximum for food or ornamental gardens.
Stage 4 ALL USE OF WATER FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN DRINKING, FOOD PREPARATION AND PERSONAL HYGIENE IS SUBJECT TO STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS. No sprinkling. Hand-watering, micro or drip irrigation subject to daily maximum for food or ornamental gardens.

Please check the local newspaper or each water provider’s website during the summer months to see if Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 restrictions are in effect.

Notes

1      Stage 2 and 3 restrictions will be imposed in conjunction with the corresponding Provincial Drought Code. Jurisdictions may move to a given Stage ahead of the corresponding Provincial Drought Code based on state of the water system.

2      Irrigation of new lawns must follow the restrictions for established lawns. If additional watering is required, a permit must be obtained at which point water restrictions for New Lawns must be followed.

3      Micro/drip irrigation delivers water to the root zone of the plants and uses less than 90 L/hr (20 imperial gallons per hour) at less than 25 psi. Weeper hoses are considered micro/drip irrigation, and are permitted; soaker hoses are not permitted. A weeper hose emits water through very small pores in the rubber; there is no water spray stream emitted from the hose, resulting in less evaporation than a soaker hose. A soaker hose has holes that are large enough to emit water as a spray stream, resulting in more evaporation than a micro/drip irrigation system or a weeper hose.

4      Pools filled prior to Stage 3 water use restrictions being implemented may be topped up to account for evaporation losses in order to avoid damage to pumps, etc. Municipal recreation facilities exempt.

5    For residential properties, washing driveways, houses or sidewalks is only permitted during Stages 2 and 3 in preparation for applying paints, preservatives or for pouring concrete. Residential washing (i.e. not at a car wash facility which reuses water) of vehicles and boats is only permitted in Stage 3 in preparation of applying paints or preservatives. Commercial enterprises which require water use to facilitate normal business activities are exempt from some Stage 2 and 3 water restrictions. These include nurseries, turf farms or tree farms, car wash / detailers, power washing companies, window washing companies, etc.

6      School and Municipal playing fields are often sand-based and require regular watering. For that reason they are exempt from sprinkling regulations. Regardless, efforts are made to reduce water use and the irrigation timings are adjusted to reduce evaporation and avoid times of higher water consumption.

7      If necessary the Provincial Government can require the curtailment of water use for private wells and for agricultural purposes.

Garden Irrigation Permits

Issued for a limited time period, Garden Irrigation Permits will permit owners or residents to water newly planted lawns or large scale landscaping daily following the current water use restrictions table. No lawn watering is permitted under Stage 4.

Applications may be obtained by clicking on the following link: Garden Irrigation Permit Application.

Please forward the completed application by email to the Utilities Division at utilities@cvrd.bc.ca, or drop off in person at the CVRD office located at 175 Ingram Street. Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you for payment of the $25 permit fee and issuance of the permit.

Garden Irrigation Permits will only be issued if more than 50% of the lawn is being planted. Garden Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2, 3 and 4 Water Use Restrictions. This is to encourage residents to plant new lawns in the spring when water is more plentiful.

Water Restrictions FAQ