Water Restrictions | Drought | Emergency Management Cowichan

Overview

As the impacts of drought increase, public water systems will increase water conservation regulations. Voluntary reduction of consumption is the first step for all homes in the Cowichan region.

How to Prepare

Know the Risk. Make a Plan. Build a Kit.
Reduce consumption
Monitor and abide by regional water restrictions
Monitor the provincial drought portal for more information
Sign up for CowichanAlert
Install water efficient appliances
Grow drought resistant plants in your garden
FireSmart your home
Check your hoses and pipes for cracks and drips
Conserve water when vacationing across the region

Prevention

The average Canadian directly and indirectly uses 340 liters of water a day. The average British Columbian uses 490 Liters a Day. Here are some ways to reduce consumption:

In the Kitchen

Instead of running the tap, keep a jug of cool water in the fridge
Turn off the tap and wash your fruit in a bucket, use the gray water around your garden
Turn off the garburator and save water. Compost your kitchen scraps

Around the garden

Long grass helps shade its roots. Mow less often and you’ll save water
Don’t water when its windy. Wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed up evaporation
Put an empty tuna can on your lawn when running the sprinkler. When its full you’ll know you’ve water enough.

In the bathroom

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth or shave
Take shorter showers. You will save 19 liters every minute

For Cleaning

Water for dripping taps! Change tap washers and save up to 300 liters a week
Instead of running water, use a bucket or pail for household cleaning
Make sure your washing machine is loaded full. Every load uses up to 190 liters.

Overview

There are hundreds of small water systems in the Cowichan Region drawing from wells and surface water, most with less than 15 connections to homes and businesses. Each owner/operator of a small water system has an obligation to provide safe drinking water to users of that system.

During seasonal drought, consumption from private water systems is voluntarily regulated by the users of the system or have bylaws in place to guide conservation. If voluntary conservation is not sufficient in the local area, authorities under the Water Sustainability Act can regulate water diversion use and storage of private surface water and groundwater systems.

Water purveyors supplying more than two connections are required to contact Island Health if they expect to run out of drinking water or the water is unsafe to drink.

Impact

Ground Water Systems
During seasonal drought water purveyors may experience reduced draw from their well or run out of water entirely. As the well reduces capacity rock flour can mix in higher concentration with your water source causing clouding and higher alkalinity at the tap. Allow for the well to recharge while also identify redundant sources for water. Should you lose your water supply contact a bulk water hauler to resupply your holding tank. During periods of water scarcity, bulk water haulers may be in short supply.

Ensure that water is safe to consume by conducting a water test.

Surface Water Systems
Surface water reservoirs will drop in volume during seasonal drought. This can cause increased turbidity and the growth of blue green algae requiring residents to boil their water. Surface water reservoirs have a minimum draw down limit and provisions may be taken to halt the draw of private water from a reservoir if the ecosystem is threatened.

Guide for Small Water Systems

As the impacts of drought increase, public water systems will increase water conservation regulations. Voluntary reduction of consumption is the first step for all businesses in the Cowichan region.

Businesses relying on water for cleaning or production should ensure proper business continuity plans are in place should regional watering restrictions or temporary protection orders impact regular operations (link to lower in on the page where the water restrictions are summarized)

How to Prepare

Know the Risk. Make a Plan. Build a Kit.
Reduce consumption
Monitor and abide by regional water restrictions
Monitor the provincial drought portal for more information
Sign up for CowichanAlert
Ensure safety of drinking water source for staff and customer
Install water efficient taps on water fossettes
Upgrade equipment and appliances where possible to decrease water consumption
Review and exercise business continuity plan

Overview

The B.C. Government provides advice and drought management tools to farmers and ranchers who may be affected by drought and/or loss of water. Learn more about drought planning for agriculture here.

How to Prepare

Know the Risk. Make a Plan. Build a Kit.
Schedule irrigation to optimize water usage during a period of water scarcity
Ensure livestock water systems are adapted for water scarcity
Review Farm/Ranch Emergency Plan
Reduce irrigated acreage
Reduce amount of irrigation water applied to all acres
If possible, substitute low-water requirement crops for high-water requirement crops
Delay irrigation until a critical water stage
Manage soil to capture precipitation
Applying only enough water to meet evapotranspiration losses
Seek information and support from Ministry of Agriculture
Monitor the provincial drought portal for more information
Sign up for CowichanAlert

Overview

Low streamflows and hot, dry weather can result in high stream temperatures and the need for angling closures. For more information on angling closures please see Freshwater Fishing Regulations

Current Burning Permissions

Open burning—or burning outdoors—is allowed when the wildfire risk is low and can be a useful tool when conducted responsibly. Open burning includes Category 1 campfire, Category 2, and Category 3 open fire.

Regional Water Use Restrictions

During drought conditions, your water system operator may introduce water use restrictions to conserve limited water supplies. There are four stages of water restrictions which are coordinated across the Cowichan Valley. Local conditions may sometimes require a higher stage of water restrictions on certain systems.

(a) domestic;	(e) mining;	(i) storage;
(b) waterworks;	(f) industrial;	(j) conservation;
(c) irrigation;	(g) oil and gas;	(k) land improvement.
(d )mineralized water;	(h) power;