VANCOUVER — British Columbia residents are again being asked to curb water use as drought conditions persist.
The Forests Ministry has raised the drought rating to Level 4 in the Okanagan region, signalling extremely dry conditions that could lead to water shortages.
The north Thompson region has had its rating raised to Level 3.
Fishing has also been banned along the main stem of the Okanagan River between Okanagan Lake and Osooyos Lake to protect fish stocks amid low stream flows and high temperatures.
Drought ratings for the south Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas were all raised to Level 4 on July 27.
Municipalities have their own ratings. On Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley and Comox Valley regional districts have imposed Stage 3 restrictions which ban lawn watering. Greater Victoria is at Stage 1, limiting lawn watering to two days a week.
