Snowpack levels on Vancouver Island are currently at 39 per cent of normal for June, and the City of Parksville is reminding residents that Level 2 water restrictions came into effect on May 1 and are in place until further notice.
As a partner in the Arrowsmith Water Service, the city regulates the flow release from the Arrowsmith Lake reservoir between June 1 and Oct. 31 and the province determines when conservation levels will be implemented to ensure a high-quality water supply for residents and the necessary water for fire safety as well as in-stream fish, according to a news release by the city.
As of June 1, the provincial snowpack is, on average, at 44 per cent of normal (56 per cent below normal) with Vancouver Island's snowpack even lower, according to the Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin by the River Forecast Centre.
"We are fortunate in that the Arrowsmith reservoir is currently at full capacity," the city said in the release. "Because of the low snowpack, early snow melt and warm seasonal weather forecasts, the province is expecting there will be elevated drought levels for this coming season."
As of June 12, Vancouver Island is currently rated at Drought Level 1, considered abnormally dry for this time of the year.
The region saw record breaking low rainfall earlier this year — in January, there was 37 mm of rain (monthly average 133.21 mm) and in April, just 16.8 mm of rain (monthly average is 55.75 mm).
Typically, water use doubles during the summer months, placing significant strain on water supply.
Are you watering right in Level 2?
• Lawn watering is permitted on odd numbered days for odd numbered civic addresses and even numbered addresses may water on even numbered days. Watering times are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a maximum of two hours of total allocated watering per day. The city said only one hour a week of watering is needed for a healthy lawn;
• Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions;
• Watering of ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees are restricted to hand-held container or hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle if watered outside of permitted times;
• Anytime on assigned watering day, vehicles, RVs, boats, exterior building surfaces, walkways, driveways, buildings (siding), or parking lots may be washed using city supplied potable water using a hand-held container or hose equipped with shutoff nozzle;
• Anytime on assigned watering day, swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, garden ponds, and water features may be filled with water.
City water conservation levels provide a coordinated approach with Regional District of Nanaimo water service providers.
For details on water conservation levels and ways to help conserve water, visit Let’s Talk Parksville.
