Current Water Restrictions

Water Restrictions for the Comox Valley Water System

• Stage 1 Water Restrictions

  Even Address	Odd Address
  Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 5 am - 8 am and 7 pm -10 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.	Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 5 am - 8 am and 7 pm -10 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

  During Stage 1 Restrictions:

  A person may only use a sprinkler to water a lawn or garden growing on a property with:

  • An even numbered address – Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
  •  An odd numbered address – Between the hours of 5 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
  • Local governments may use a sprinkler to water parks, ornamental lawns and grassed boulevards between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am on even numbered days for even numbered addresses and odd numbered days for odd numbered addresses.​

  To learn more on what is permitted during Stage 1 water restrictions, visit the Comox Valley Regional District website.  

• Stage 2 Water Restrictions

  Even Address	Odd Address
  Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm on Tuesday and Saturday.	Lawn and garden sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm on Wednesday and Sunday.

  During Stage 2 Restrictions

  A person may only use a sprinkler to water a lawn and garden growing on a property with:

  • An even numbered address – On Tuesday and Saturday between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm - 10 pm. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time
  • An odd numbered address – On Wednesday and Sunday between the hours of 6 am - 8 am and 8 pm -10 pm. They may not use a sprinkler to water the lawn or garden on any other day or time.
  • Local government may use a sprinkler to water parks, ornamental lawns and grassed boulevards between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am on even numbered days for even numbered addresses and odd numbered days for odd numbered addresses.

  To learn more about what your permitted to do in Stage 2 water restrictions, visit the Comox Valley Regional District website.  

• Stage 3 Water Restrictions

  UNDER STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS NO LAWN  WATERING IS PERMITTED

  During Stage 3 Water Restrictions:

  • No person shall:
    • water a lawn or boulevard;
    • fill or add water to a swimming pool, hot tub or garden pond;
    • fill or add water to or operate a decorative fountain at any time; or
    • wash a vehicle or a boat with water.

  To learn more about what is permitted in Stage 3 water restrictions, visit the Comox Valley Regional District website.  

• Stage 4 Water Restrictions - Extreme Conditions

  STAGE 4 – EXTREME CONDITIONS

  During stage 4 water restrictions, all use of water for any purpose other than drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene is strictly prohibited.

  • Prohibited uses include:
    • Watering lawns, gardens, plants and trees in any manner or by any means, including watering by hand
    • Filling or topping off or operating residential or commercial pools, hot tubs, ponds or fountains
    • Operating local government outdoor water parks and pools
    • Washing vehicles, boats or outdoor surfaces
    • Irrigating golf courses and other public and/or school district property
  • Where reasonably possible, swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains and ponds should be drained for health and safety purposes and such water used for irrigation.
  • No new lawn permit shall be issued during Stage 4, and no new lawn permit, whenever issued, shall be valid during Stage 4.

  Exceptions to Stage 4 Restrictions:

  • Spot cleaning of vehicles and boats with a sponge and bucket for health and safety reasons (windows, lights, license plates, etc.) is permitted.
  • Local government watermain and hydrant maintenance is permitted, but only for unscheduled safety or public health reasons.
  • Irrigating local government all-weather playing fields is permitted.
  • Water use is permitted for farm and agricultural operations, but only for livestock drinking purposes.
  • Cleaning outdoor surfaces is only authorized when required by law to comply with health or safety regulations, or to comply with an order of a regulatory authority having jurisdiction, such as WorkSafeBC or a public health inspector.
  • Water use is permitted for firefighting.

  To learn more about Stage 4 and all the prohibited activities, visit the Comox Valley Regional District website.