As of Monday, Aug. 13, Stage 3 outdoor water use restrictions are in effect for most Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) water users south of Pender Harbour and for Zone 3 water users in the Town of Gibsons.
The exceptions are customers using groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point and Granthams Landing, which will follow Stage 2 restrictions. Stage 1 is still in effect for SCRD water users from Pender Harbour to Earls Cove/Egmont.
“Our drinking water supply is at risk due to prolonged dry weather,” said the Aug. 13 SCRD release. The restrictions are meant to prevent demand from exceeding supply and to ensure “there is enough water for fire protection and to maintain flows in creeks for fish and fish habitat,” said the release.
Stage 3 water restrictions entail a ban on sprinklers and soaker hoses to water lawns, including newly seeded or sodded lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables at any time. Hand-watering lawns at any time is also not permissible.
Watering with a handheld hose equipped with a spray-trigger nozzle or a hand-held container to water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables is permitted.
Because micro- and drip-irrigation systems are water-conserving technologies, they may be used for watering trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. However, they should use less than 20 gallons per hour and operate at 25 psi or less and must be equipped with rain sensors.
A ban is also in effect for washing sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, exterior windows, decks, fences and building surfaces, unless complying with health and safety requirements.
There is also a ban on washing vehicles and boats, except to rinse saltwater off equipment, such as outboard motors.
Swimming pools, spas, garden ponds cannot be filled, nor can decorative fountains be used.
Fine for infractions at Stage 3 is $300.
For more information on restrictions for SCRD water users, visit http://www.scrd.ca/Sprinkling-Regulations. Information on Gibsons water use restrictions is available at: http://www.gibsons.ca/services/water/water-restrictions.
