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City of Nanaimo Water Saving Initiatives

City leading water conservation by example

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 10, 2015 9:00 AM

Summary

With increasing discussion around Nanaimo of the drought and its impact on water supply, the City is communicating what it is doing to reduce water use at its facilities. The main focus has been to shut down irrigation to lawns at facilities and medians. Sports fields, which are an important community asset are being watered at reduced levels, to ensure that they remain viable. However, watering sports fields has been reduced by 50% or more, and the lesser used fields are being shut off. Young saplings are being protected as well.

While Nanaimo remains on Twice per Week watering (Level Two), we are also encouraging residents and businesses to allow their lawns to go dormant over the summer. The most effective means of reaching the highest level of water conservation is through education, rather than enforcement. Building awareness around the priorities of water use will help raise the public's awareness of the value of our most precious resource.

The City of Nanaimo’s water supply at Jump Lake is currently 85 per cent of full storage. Daily consumption is averaging around 60 million litres, about average for this time of year.

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

Key Points

  • City facilities' lawn irrigation have been turned off and lawns will be allowed to go dormant. Sports fields irrigation has been cut back to ensure that the fields do not die and protect the significant investment.
  • Nanaimo residents have been self-regulating in response to the warmer drier weather and practising water conservation. We encourage all residents and businesses to let lawns go dormant for the balance of the summer.
  • We encourage positive dialogue with your neighbours around simple efforts at water conservation that can help raise awareness.
  • This is the sixth 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.

Quotes

"A key goal with water conservation education is to improve the level of awareness and to have Nanaimo residents and businesses be even more mindful the value of our drinking water. With this deeper appreciation comes a greater desire to conserve and protect our most precious resource.

Even though sprinkling is permitted twice per week, it is not mandatory. Voluntarily allowing your lawn to go golden is a simple way of demonstrating water wise behaviour."

Bill Sims
Manager, Water Resources
Engineering & Public Works

Quick Facts

  • Under current Twice-per-Week restrictions, even addresses may water on Wednesday and Saturday; odd addresses may water on Thursday and Sunday.
  • 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
Al Britton
Manager, Parks Operations
Parks, Recreation & Environment
250-755-7505

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