Due to BC Hydro’s fall maintenance on the Puntledge River generating station, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) water system will supply water to consumers via standby pumping stations.
The situation will last from Sept. 19 at 8 a.m. until Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m., which will require stage three water restrictions.
Stage three restrictions are necessary to maintain enough water in the system during this time for household and firefighting needs. During this time, residents are asked to use water only when completely necessary.
During stage three, the following seasonal activities are prohibited:
• Watering lawns (with manual or automatic sprinklers) or pressure washing driveways or boulevards at any time;
• Filling or adding water to a hot tub or garden pond at any time;
• Washing a vehicle or a boat at any time.
During stage three, the following activities are allowed:
Watering trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables on any day between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. if watering is done by hand-held container or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Other exemptions are outlined in the bylaw and can be located on the CVRD website at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.
Who this applies to:
Everyone living in the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road, Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent water local service areas. All of these areas are served by the Comox Valley water system.
Water quality and supply
Health regulations require that consumer and business users be aware that the water might be turbid (cloudy) if heavy rain occurs. There may be slight discolouration of the water during and after this period. The medical health officer recommends that if this occurs, the water be brought to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consuming. Consumers using water during this time should be aware that water quality could change rapidly.
It is advisable to keep an ample supply of potable water on hand or in your refrigerator during the time indicated above. Taste and odour of the water may be affected by the addition of extra chlorine while pumping from the Puntledge River.
Engine noise near the Puntledge River
Residents living near the pump station can expect some noise from the engines while water is being pumped from the river. We apologize to residents who may be affected.
— Comox Valley Regional District
