Watering Restrictions

Stage 3 watering restrictions are currently in effect.

The City is aligning with regional measures and asking residents to voluntarily conserve water, particularly for outdoor use. While these reductions are not mandatory at this stage, they are strongly encouraged to help protect the water supply and avoid stricter restrictions.

For a simplified, printer-friendly version of the watering restrictions, click here.

Why We Have Watering Restrictions

Watering restrictions help reduce water use during the summer months, when water demand is highest and streamflows and river levels are typically at their lowest.

The City of Nanaimo manages its water supply in accordance with the Water Supply Strategic Plan and the Nanaimo River Water Management Plan (NRWMP). These plans help ensure a reliable drinking water supply while supporting the environmental flows needed to maintain fish habitat and ecosystem health in the Nanaimo River.

The NRWMP was developed through a collaborative partnership involving the City of Nanaimo, Harmac Pacific, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and the Province of British Columbia. This partnership has successfully supported environmental flows in the Nanaimo River for decades, helping to protect fish populations and river ecosystems while balancing community and industrial water needs.

Under the NRWMP, the City of Nanaimo is responsible for providing approximately 25% of the environmental flow needs (EFN) required to support the Nanaimo River. Water conservation measures, including seasonal watering restrictions, play an important role in helping the City meet these commitments while maintaining a secure water supply for residents and businesses.

Together, responsible water use, reservoir management, and environmental flow commitments help ensure a sustainable water supply and a healthy Nanaimo River for future generations.

To view the current Water Restriction Stage for Nanaimo, and how you can conserve water, see RDN Team WaterSmart.

Watering Restriction Exemptions

The water restriction framework is designed to reduce demand and protect Nanaimo’s water supply as conditions change throughout the season.

Stage 1 encourages general water conservation while allowing flexibility when supplies are stable.
Stage 2 introduces clear and manageable limits on outdoor water use to help reduce demand.
Stage 3 requests further voluntary reductions prior to implementing a ban, enabling residents to choose where they cut back – the focus is on lawns, and providing an opportunity to defer a comprehensive ban.
Stage 4 is implemented when supplies are under greater stress and restricts most non‑essential outdoor water use, including automated sprinklers, vehicle washing, and surface cleaning.

Water Restriction Stages are different from Provincial Drought Levels, as they are based on local reservoir conditions and water use in Nanaimo.