Stage 1 Water Conservation Regulations in Effect May 1

Each year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) brings in Stage 1 water conservation regulations on May 1. After successive years of extreme drought, water regulations are more important than ever to secure water supply into late summer and fall.

The regulations outlined below apply to all SCRD water customers on the Sunshine Coast. Paper copies of these regulations have been mailed to homes and appeared in the Coast Reporter in mid-April as part of the SCRD’s “Get Ready for Summer” campaign.

Regulations define the types of watering and three separate plant categories: lawns; trees, shrubs, and flowers; and food producing plants. Watering schedules can vary in different water systems across the region.  Below are watering schedules for Stage 1.

Stage 1 Watering Schedule

 Watering Lawns

Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray can be used to water lawns according to the Stage 1 schedule which is:

• For even numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• For odd numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Watering trees, flowers, shrubs and food producing plants

Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray can be used to water trees, flowers and shrubs, and food producing trees and plants according to the Stage 1 schedule:

• For even numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• For odd numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

During Stage 1 water conservation regulations, hand held hoses with nozzles, hand held containers, or drip-irrigation can be used anytime for watering lawns, trees, flowers, shrubs or food producing trees and plants.

Rain sensors are required on all irrigation systems to prevent watering in the rain.

Other uses of water

Pressure washing sidewalks, driveways, windows, fences and exterior building surfaces is permitted only during Stage 1.

“Last year the Sunshine Coast experienced a 106-day drought which, as residents are well aware brought severe water conservation regulations,” says Mark Brown, Acting General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “Now is the time to get ready for summer, look at ways you can conserve water both inside and outside of home and, of course, please follow all water conservation regulations. Regulations are in place to secure supply for our whole community.”

For questions about water conservation or about the regulations, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.

Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at https://www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form