After a month without significant rainfall on the Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will impose Stage 2 water restrictions for all users, except those on the Pender Harbour systems, as of noon, July 21.
The Town of Gibsons is also applying Stage 2 restrictions for Zones 1 and 2.
Under Stage 2 restrictions homeowners can use sprinklers, soaker hoses, irrigation systems (automated systems must have rain sensors) and other watering devices on the following schedule:
Even addresses on Thursday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and odd addresses on Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Hand-held hoses with shut-offs can be used anytime for watering trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables.
Hosing of sidewalks and driveways, windows or exterior building surfaces is not allowed except to pressure wash surfaces to prepare for paint, etc., or as required by law for safety.
Micro and drip irrigation systems are exempt from Stage 2 restrictions.
And, during Stage 2, the SCRD will no longer issue special permits to allow extra watering so newly seeded lawns or fresh sod can get established.
The SCRD board voted earlier this year to approve higher fines for violating water use restrictions. It’s now $200 at Stage 2.
In its second quarter update, the SCRD’s infrastructure services department says water use on the Chapman system in April, May and June was down about 8.5 per cent from the five-year average.
The report also shows there was around 100 cm of snow still on the ground in the Chapman Lake area, but past experience has shown it can take several days of steady rain to bring the lake levels up to “full.”
Visit www.scrd.ca/Sprinkling-Regulations for details on water use restrictions.
