The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is imposing new watering restrictions effective May 1 to ensure communities are using water responsibly in the face of climate change and population growth.
Restrictions will vary from one water system to another based on the amount of water available.
Water sprinkling for odd numbered properties will be permitted on odd numbered days of the month and even numbered properties will be permitted on even days of the month. On these corresponding days, water sprinkling can be done between 6 and 8 in both the mornings and evenings for Horse Lake and 108 Mile. Water sprinkling in other areas will be permitted between 5 and 11 in the mornings and evenings which correspond to the property’s odd or even address.
Restrictions will run from May 1 to October 1, and details specific to your area can be found on the CRD site.
The district said new restrictions were necessary to respond to aging water systems and the rise and fall of water levels with the seasons. Restrictions ensure water is used fairly across the region while reducing the strain on water systems and lowering maintenance costs.
In the city limits of Williams Lake, lawn watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and can also only be done on the day corresponding to your address, with odd numbered days allocated to odd numbered addresses and even numbered days allocated to even numbered addresses. Restrictions in Williams Lake are in place between April 1 to September 30, inclusively.
Automatic sprinkling systems can be used daily between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m., and hand-watering plants using a hose with a working springloaded shut-off nozzle or hand-held container can be done at any time. Read the full Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, Section 7.11 which regulates water sprinkling on the City of Williams Lake website.
The CRD website notes that “aggressive enforcement” will be used if regulations are continuously violated. In Williams Lake, the minimum fine for violating restrictions is $100.
For additional conservation tips to ensure you are using water responsibly, head to the CRD Watering Restrictions webpage or the Williams Lake Water Conservation webpage.
