City hall says Parksville will remain at Water Conservation Level 4 (Comprehensive Watering Ban) until October 1.
“Although this region has received some rain, we are still experiencing a drought,” the city’s director of operations Mike Squire said through a news release on Monday afternoon. “We rely on groundwater which takes longer to recharge despite recent rainfall events and requires much more rain that we have had recently. The long range forecast from Environment Canada indicates an El Nino will influence our climate this coming winter with another warmer than normal and slightly drier than normal season ahead. This means the drought we experienced this summer could very likely be repeated next summer as part of a longer-term trend. Continued water conservation will help to protect next year’s water supply.”
The city also expressed its thanks to homeowners and businesses for their conservation efforts.
“Going to Level 4 Conservation Level in early summer helped us save more than 40 per cent and efforts by residents and the City of Parksville to conserve water have made it possible to meet water demands during peak times, satisfy river flows and maintain emergency water storage levels available for emergency firefighting purposes,” said Squire. “Water conservation levels allow us to better manage flows being released from the Arrowsmith Dam for both public consumption and fisheries benefits as over 60 per cent of the flow in the Englishman River this summer was generated by the Arrowsmith Lake Reservoir; without it, the river would not be flowing.”
During Water Conservation Level 4, the use of automatic underground sprinklers is prohibited as well as washing of vehicles, boats, sidewalks and driveways (no outside washing). Filling of swimming pools, hot tubs and fountains is prohibited.
Watering of vegetable gardens, shrubs, trees and flowers is restricted to a hand-held container or hose with a shut-off nozzle between
6-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. daily. Drip irrigation systems are allowed during this time. Soaker or weeper hoses and micro-sprayers are prohibited.
For more information about Water Conservation Level 4, call the city’s operations department at 250-248-5412.
— NEWS Staff/City of Parksville news release
