The Comox Valley is changing how it prepares for extreme water shortages, adding a new emergency level to its water conservation rules. The Comox Valley Regional District introduced the revised bylaw at its board meeting Tuesday, as the region faces increasingly frequent and severe drought conditions. The biggest change is the creation of a Stage 5 restriction level. It would be reserved for serious disruptions to the water system, including a major water-main break, wildfire, earthquake, flooding, severe weather or a prolonged power outage. Under Stage 5, outdoor watering and cleaning would be prohibited, with water use limited to essential needs such as drinking, cooking and sanitation. The changes also reshape Stage 4, which previously represented the most restrictive level of water conservation. Stage 4 can be triggered when Puntledge River flows fall below 5.7 cubic metres per second, a threshold tied to the CVRD’s water licence. While the valley has not historically reached Stage 4 because of low Puntledge flows, drought conditions earlier this year raised concerns that it could become necessary for an extended period. “The severity of the previous bylaw’s Stage 4 restrictions was simply not feasible for businesses and food crops for prolonged amounts of time,” Kris La Rose, CVRD general manager of engineering services said in a statement. Under the revised Stage 4 rules, lawn watering is prohibited, but limited watering of gardens, including vegetable gardens, is allowed to keep plants alive. Some commercial and farming operations are also eligible for exemptions. The new approach is intended to give the region more flexibility during a prolonged drought, while keeping the most severe restrictions for situations where the water system itself is at risk. The CVRD manages five separate water systems, so conservation measures can vary depending on the water source, infrastructure and storage capacity serving each community. Residents and businesses can check the CVRD’s current watering schedule and determine which water system serves their property before using water outdoors.
