More than a week after a full outdoor water ban was declared, Stage 4 restrictions for water users on the Chapman regional system were set to stay in place despite the recent rains.
On Wednesday, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) chief administrative officer Janette Loveys said the Chapman Lake watershed had received 17 millimetres of rain recently, but that amount was not enough to replenish the water supply. She said there would need to be five or six days of heavy rain to recharge the lake.
The temporary siphon system at Chapman Lake was operating to supplement the water supply and once the siphon is not required, the SCRD is expected to reduce or remove water restrictions.
“We are monitoring lake levels on a daily basis and meeting requirements from B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development for environmental [fish] flows,” Loveys said.
The SCRD is asking that residents continue to reduce indoor water use and reported that demand has been reduced in response to the Stage 4 restrictions. “Consumption is close to the Stage 4 target of 10 million litres per day,” she said.
The SCRD announced the Stage 4 outdoor water use ban Oct. 3, with exceptions for commercial food growers with farm status and only if their properties are metered.
Stage 4 water restrictions mean no outdoor watering is allowed. Water cannot be used to fill hot tubs, pools or ponds or to wash vehicles, driveways or boats. Only grey water – clean wastewater from showers or dishwashing – can be used to water outside.
The ban does not include residents on SCRD water from Pender Harbour to Egmont, which remain at Stage 1, Gibsons residents supplied by zones 1 and 2, or residents on groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point and Granthams, which remain at Stage 2.
