EDITORS NOTE: yet…the City of Parksville is building/building/building!!
City: stream flows from in the Englishman River at below normal levels
Parksville Qualicum Beach News Staff
The City of Parksville is strongly encouraging residents to conserve outdoor water use.
Based on the current drought levels indicated by the province, as well as the stream flows from in the Englishman River at below normal levels and no significant rainfall in the long-term forecast, water purveyors in the region may be required to soon move to water conservation Level 4, a comprehensive watering ban, according to a news release by the city.
Earlier this week, the province provided a drought condition update and is encouraging voluntary conservation to avoid water scarcity through the summer as drought conditions increase.
It is expected B.C. will experience increased drought hazards this summer as much of the province remains dry. About 62 per cent of the province is at currently at Level 2 or Level 3 drought which implies increasing dryness and severity of drought. East Vancouver Island is at Level 2 drought.
The province indicated about 70 per cent of total water use in some areas is residential water use, which is why just small changes can make a big difference.
The provincial government said temporary protection orders may be issued as a last resort if voluntary efforts are not enough to restore water flows and protect animals, fish and watersheds from long-lasting harm.
Level 3 guidelines are detailed on Let’s Talk Parksville and offer some flexibility for residents to decide where and how to cut back on water use. The most significant change to Level 3 with the revised water framework approved earlier this year is to sprinkler watering which allows watering of lawns one day per week.
From June 1 to Oct. 31, as a partner in the Arrowsmith Water Service, the city operates through an order from the Province of B.C. which regulates the flow release from the Arrowsmith Lake Reservoir. The provincial enabling order determines when water conservation levels will be implemented to ensure a high-quality water supply for our residents and the necessary water for firefighting and fisheries.
