People could have the option to water their trees, shrubs and flowers when they wake up or before bed if Stage 3 water restrictions are called this year.
Last summer during Stage 3, people were limited to watering for one hour in the morning only, but a proposed rule change – if adopted by the board – would mean people would have the option of watering for an hour in the morning or at night, though not both.
The change, according to staff, would still keep watering to one hour, but would satisfy the public demand for both options.
“We night owls thank you,” said Area E Donna McMahon in response to the staff proposal at a Feb. 20 infrastructure services committee meeting.
Other changes requested by the public during consultations last summer, however, have been kept out of the plan for now, because doing so “would result in increased water use or unenforceable regulations,” according to the staff report.
During the discussion, Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers also asked about watering sports fields as local governments and stakeholders look into investing in field improvements. “Once they’ve done those capital investments, I think we want to find a way to ensure that we maintain them, because it doesn’t make sense to put all that money into fields and then not be able to water them,” she said.
In response, staff said the SCRD is working to install two non-potable wells for irrigation purposes at Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek and Connor Park in Halfmoon Bay.
At the meeting, directors also voted unanimously to change the name of the plan to “drought response plan.”
Changes to the plan are expected to be finalized by May 1, with Zone 3 in the Town of Gibsons anticipated to synchronize with the SCRD’s regulations.
