As of July 5, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) water users will need to limit their usage to adhere to Stage 2.
“After a historic drier and warmer May, June has also been relatively warm and dry… Given the current water supply situation, the SCRD now requires community members to increase their water conservation efforts,” said an SCRD release.
For even addresses, outdoor watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses and irrigation systems is allowed Thursday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Residents with odd addresses can water outdoors Wednesday and Saturday during the same hours. Micro and drip irrigation systems are exempt from the restrictions because they conserve water. Irrigation systems must be outfitted with rain sensors.
Hand-held hoses with shut-off devices are allowed at any time to water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables.
Once Stage 2 is in effect, it will remain in place until further notice. But for the owners of Splash & Shine Car Wash, the real trouble starts at Stage 3.
The Sechelt car wash company requested an exemption from Stage 3, which bans commercial and private car washing, but SCRD directors voted against it.
The business uses about 20,000 litres per day, which makes it one of the largest commercial users on the regional water system, according to SCRD staff. Changes to the district’s drought management plan were made last year to prioritize “water for human health” and fire protection and to protect Chapman Creek’s environmental flow needs, which is what prompted the commercial and private ban on car washing at Stage 3.
Staff were concerned allowing an exception would create a “precedent-setting risk,” and they also cited fairness, since according to the revised plan, both private and commercial users aren’t allowed to wash their cars. According to the staff report, “prior to removing the commercial exemption, staff would regularly receive complaints from people whose garden watering was being restricted when washing vehicles was still allowed.”
