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City of Nanaimo moving to Conservation Level Two Watering Restrictions

Decision supports Provincial call for voluntary water use reduction

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 9, 2015 3:13 PM

Summary

The Provincial Government issued a media release on June 8 announcing Vancouver Island is experiencing a Level three drought and called for water users to voluntarily reduce consumption. Today, the City of Nanaimo joins with the Province in observing increased conservation. Effective Monday June 15, the City will move to Conservation Level Two watering restrictions. Under level two restrictions, even numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays while odd numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays.

The City of Nanaimo’s water supply at Jump Lake is currently 95 per cent full. Compared to previous years, summertime draw-down has started approximately one month earlier than normal, however, given the storage level and corresponding the level of consumption, the City is confident there is sufficient water storage to last the summer.

Link to Strategic Plan: This supports the strategic priority of water, and encourages conservation.

Key Points

  • The increased Conservation Level supports the Province's call for voluntary water use reduction, and helps to ensure the City's water supply will remain in good shape for the duration of the summer.
  • For Conservation Level Two, even numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Odd numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays.
  • This is the fourth update on water levels since late March, when the City advised it was monitoring water levels and climatic conditions carefully. The City will continue to monitor and provide updates to the public.
  • Nanaimo residents have been self-regulating in response to the warmer drier weather and practising water conservation. Year to date water delivered is two per cent lower than at this time last year.

Quotes

"Two main factors have helped build resiliency to drought: Nanaimo residents have been practising water conservation for decades, to the point that overall annual consumption is declining year over year. The second factor is that Jump Lake - the source of supply - is located well back in the mountains and received significant rainfall in the early spring, leaving it close to full. While the City's water supply is in good shape with sufficient water, the City is responding to the Provincial call to voluntarily reduce water use by implementing Conservation Level Two watering restrictions. This cautious approach will ensure that the system remains robust. The City appreciates residents' participation in conserving water."

Bill Sims
Manager, Water Resources
Engineering & Public Works

Quick Facts

  • No watering is permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • No washing of driveways or parking lots is permitted. All water hoses must have a hand-held shutoff device.
  • Residential property residents may wash a vehicle or boat only on their watering day, and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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Contact:

Bill Sims
Manager, Water Resources
Engineering & Public Works
250-756-5302
John Elliot
Manager, Utilities
Engineering & Public Works
250-756-5305

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