Stage 2 water restrictions are now in effect for the Municipality of North Cowichan, covering the Chemainus, Crofton and South End water systems, including Maple Bay.
The municipality issued the notice Aug. 5 after provincial drought conditions reached Level 3 for East Vancouver Island. Under Stage 2, lawn watering by sprinkler or irrigation system is limited to one day per week for a maximum of two hours. Even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, while odd-numbered addresses are permitted on Sundays.
Hand watering and micro-drip irrigation are still allowed, but with strict time limits: up to four hours per day for vegetable gardens and fruit trees, two hours for ornamental trees, shrubs and flower gardens, and one hour for lawns. Vehicle washing is permitted.
All outdoor watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and the municipality encourages residents to water during cooler evenings, overnight or early morning to reduce evaporation.
Water restriction stages in the Cowichan Valley can be confusing as they are based on water system boundaries rather than municipal or regional district borders.
North Cowichan sets the rules for its three municipal water systems — Chemainus, Crofton and South End — so residents in those areas follow the municipality’s Stage 2 guidelines. Other municipalities, including Duncan, Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan, operate their own systems and set their own stages, while the Cowichan Valley Regional District controls separate systems such as Youbou, Honeymoon Bay and Cowichan Bay, which are currently at Stage 3.
Full details, tips and exemption information for North Cowichan residents are available at northcowichan.ca.
