Stage 1 water restrictions come into force for people on the Sunshine Coast Regional District system on Friday.
The Town of Gibsons is also starting its restrictions May 1st.
The SCRD’s new drought management strategy, sets May 1st as the automatic start for Stage 1… and Manager of Utility Services, Dave Crosby says it’s not a reaction to the near-record low snow pack in the area.
“Water use more than doubles, in the summer when seasonal rainfall is at its lowest,” says Crosby. “Restrictions help ensure that demand does not exceed the capacity of our water supply and distribution system and also ensures that there is always enough water for our fire protection on the Coast.”
Crosby says last year Stage 2 came into effect in mid-August and, although it’s impossible to predict, it is likely the SCRD will have to go to it earlier if the year continues to be drier than normal.
In the City of Nanaimo the plan is to go to Level 1 restrictions June 1st, which is the usual date.
City says the reservoir remains about 95 per cent capacity, despite a zero snow pack in the watershed.
