Watering restrictions are now in effect in Greater Victoria, with lawn sprinkling limited to two days a week.
Even-numbered addresses are permitted to water Wednesday and Saturday, while odd-numbered addresses can water Thursday and Sunday.
Watering can only be done from 4 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
The street number applies for multi-unit locations.
While there is no water shortage in sight — the Sooke Lake Reservoir is at 99 per cent capacity — it’s important to use water wisely, said Rebecca Mersereau, who chairs the Capital Regional District Water Supply Commission.
“The less water we use, the more water is available for aquatic ecosystems — so the Goldstream River, for example,” she said.
Another reason is to delay the cost of infrastructure replacement and expansion, she said. “If we have less water pumping through our pipes and we don’t have to expand them, it might help defer some costs for the CRD, but also for the municipalities in the region, who are the direct retailers of water to most of their residents.”
Mersereau said the region has not had to go beyond Stage 1 restrictions since the Sooke Lake Reservoir dam was raised in 2002.
The watering limits will remain in place through Sept. 30, unless tighter restrictions are deemed necessary.
The exception to the rules is newly installed lawns, either sod or seed, which can be watered by special permit outside of the permitted days. Make arrangements by calling 250-474-9684.
For established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens, watering is allowed at any time with a hand-held container, a hose with a shut-off nozzle or a micro-drip irrigation system.
CRD suggestions for saving water include avoiding washing vehicles and boats (except for windows and headlights) and sweeping outdoor surfaces such as driveways instead of using a hose.
Residents are also encouraged to “go golden” and let their lawns go dormant in the summer.
For additional information, go to crd.bc.ca/water.
