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Cowichan moves to most extreme water restrictions ever

But rain is forecast in the coming days
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Cowichan moves to Stage 4 water restrictions. (Citizen file photo)

Many water systems across the Cowichan Valley Regional District have moved to Stage 4 water restrictions, the most extreme water conservation measures ever enacted for the region.

In 2021, local governments and water purveyors across the Cowichan region collaborated to add an additional stage of water restrictions to deal with the extreme drought conditions experienced in August, 2021.

The Stage 4 water restrictions prohibit all outdoor water sprinklers and curtail commercial operations, such as vehicle washing, pressure washing and window washing.

“In response to the province moving eastern Vancouver Island to Drought Level 5, the most extreme rating in their measurement, the majority of water systems across the region will now be subject to extreme measures of water conservation,” said Lori Iannidinardo, chair of the CVRD.

“This is a decision that is not taken lightly, and hopefully we will experience some significant precipitation this month to bring us back to where we should be with our finite water reserves.”

Rain is in the forecast for Friday, Oct. 21.

The new Stage 4 rules prohibit all outdoor uses of potable water, with the exception of two-hour daily maximums for hand-watering and micro-drip irrigation of vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and one-hour daily limits for ornamental trees, shrubs and flower gardens.

Stage 4 water restrictions do not distinguish between commercial and residential water use, and do not permit the washing of vehicles, homes, buildings or sidewalks.

Visit the New Normal Cowichan website to learn more about water-use restrictions, including a water restrictions map to find the current stage of restrictions on each water system in the region.