A ban on using sprinklers to water lawns has been imposed in the Nanaimo Regional District as it moves into its highest level of restrictions because of dry weather.
The stage four restrictions also ban washing cars, boats or house siding. Power washers are not allowed and residents can not fill pools, hot tubs or fountains.
Hand-watering and drip irrigation for vegetable or fruit gardens is allowed for a maximum of two hours per day, between 7 and 10 a.m. and 7 and 10 p.m., the district said.
The regional district made the move Friday after the province announced eastern Vancouver Island was at a drought level of five, which encourages the highest level of water conservation.
Restrictions are needed to “ensure essential water needs for household use, fire protection, and environmental flows can be sustained given the persisting hydrological drought conditions on eastern Vancouver Island,” the district said.
Some communities, such as Nanaimo and Parksville, within the region will not be moving to stage four restrictions because they have enough water stored in reservoirs, such as Nanaimo, and Parksville.
For more information: rdn.bc.ca/watering-restriction-map.
