Updated on July 02, 2025
2025 Regional Outdoor Water Conservation Framework
| Water Conservation Stage | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Dates | Begins April 1 | May 1-October 31 | As required | |
| Frequency | Any day. | Every other day. Even # houses on even days, odd # house on odd days. | One day per week. Even # houses on Thursdays, odd # house on Mondays. | Sprinkling ban: lawn watering is not permitted. |
| Watering times | Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. for 2 hours max. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. for 2 hours max. | Sprinkling ban: lawn watering is not permitted. |
| Washing vehicles, boats, houses (siding) | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. on your watering day. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. once per week on your level 3 watering day. |
| Hand-watering, drip irrigation | Anytime. | Anytime. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. |
| Filling fountains, pools, hot tubs | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Not permitted. |
| Pressure washing walkways, driveways, siding | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Only prior to application of paint, preservative, stucco, or sealant. |
| New lawn permits | Can apply for a permit. | Can apply for a permit. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | No permits issued. |
| Vegetable gardens and fruit trees exempt from all watering restrictions, even in stage 4. | ||||
- Check with your local water supply provider on specific regulations within your service area
- For residents in Surfside and DeCourcey Water Service Areas, please see specific watering restrictions here.
- Private wells are not subject to watering restrictions, but conservation is encouraged because water is a shared resource.
- Hand watering must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device.
- Micro-irrigation and drip-irrigation consist of water delivered to the root zone of a plant and use less than 20 gallons per hour at less than 25 PSI.
- Washing vehicles, boats, and houses (siding) must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device.
- During Water Conservation Level 4, lawn watering is banned, even by hand-watering.
- During Level 4, flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees can be watered by hand only between 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.
- Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from the Level 4 watering ban.
Contact Information - Water Supply Providers
Deep Bay Improvement District 250-757-9312 Bowser Waterworks District 250-757-8363 Qualicum Bay Horne Lake Waterworks District 250-757-8507 Little Qualicum Waterworks District 250-909-3005 Town of Qualicum Beach 250-752-6921 EPCOR French Creek 250-951-2460 City of Parksville 250-248-5412 District of Lantzville 250-390-4006 City of Nanaimo 250-758-5222 North Cedar Improvement District 250-722-3711 Southwest Extension Waterworks 250-753-5449 RDN Water Service Areas Including:
- Decourcey (in Yellow Point)
- Nanoose Bay Peninsula
- River's Edge
- San Pareil
- French Creek
- Whiskey Creek
- Melrose Terrace
- Surfside
- Westurne Heights
250-390-6560