Stage 2 Watering Restrictions come into effect May 1

Even and Odd day watering will run until September 30

Summary

On Tuesday, May 1, Stage 2 watering restrictions will come into effect. Stage 2, often called 'Even and Odd day watering' is an annual approach to responsible water use.

In 2016, the City of Nanaimo, and communities spanning from North Cedar to Deep Bay, adopted a unified approach to watering restrictions. All major water suppliers in the area covered by the Regional District of Nanaimo now use the same classification for each watering restriction stage (Stages 1 through 4), with each water supplier determining the start date of each stage.

For more information on the region-wide watering restrictions and an interactive map, visit www.teamwatersmart.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: Water Conservation

Key Points

  • Stage 2 will run from May 1 to September 30. Even numbered addresses can water on even-numbered days of the month; odd numbered addresses can water on odd-numbered days of the month, for two hours only, between 7:00 am and 10:00 am OR between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
  • Hand-watering, drip irrigation and micro irrigation can continue at any time. Vegetable and food gardens are exempt from the restrictions.
  • Visit www.teamwatersmart.ca for an interactive map, a list of frequently asked questions and watering restriction stage in each area of the region.

Quotes

"Watering restrictions are part of the City’s waterworks bylaw. We implement Stage 2 restrictions from May 1 to September 30 every year, so that people are conserving outdoor water as we move into the dry season. It's vital to conserve our most precious resource."

Director, Engineering & Public Works
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Stage 3 restrictions will only be brought into effect should water supplies become stressed. Stage 3 consists of voluntary reductions to avoid a full sprinkling ban, with the emphasis on cutting back on lawn watering. This approach was very effective in Nanaimo during the 2015 drought.
  • Stage 4 bans non-essential water use – particularly automated sprinkling, vehicle washing and outdoor surface washing – when supplies are stressed and voluntary reductions beyond Stage 2 are not sufficiently decreasing demand.
  • Vegetable watering and drip irrigation are exempt from restrictions. Exemptions for businesses which require water for operations, essential municipal playing fields and nurseries are also exempt, to minimize economic impact while conserving. This helps avoid challenges in applying the bylaw.
-30-

Contact:

John Elliot
Sr. Manager, Public Works
City of Nanaimo
250-758-5222
Bill Sims
Director, Engineering & Public Works
City of Nanaimo
250-758-5222

Print News Release

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.