Stage 3 Water Conservation Regulations in Effect July 14 in South Pender Harbour

The water supply from McNeill Lake is at risk due to prolonged dry weather. Effective July 14, 2023 and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 3 (acute) water conservation regulations for SCRD water users in South Pender Harbour.

SCRD water users on the Chapman Lake and Eastbourne water systems remain at Stage 2 water conservation regulations.

Water users on the Egmont, Cove Bay, North Pender Harbour, Langdale, Soames Point, and Grantham’s Landing water systems remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

Water conservation regulations help ensure that community water demand does not exceed the volume of water available under the SCRD’s water license from McNeil Lake and that there is enough water for fire protection.

Stage 3 Watering Schedule:

WATERING LAWNS:

• Not permitted.

WATERING TREES, SHRUBS OR FLOWERS: 

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with hand held hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 1 hour per day between 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WATERING FOOD PRODUCING PLANTS AND TREES: 

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses, or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with hand held hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 2 hours per day, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..

EXEMPTION FOR COMMERCIAL FOOD PRODUCING FARMS:

• Commercial food producing farms paying a metered rate for water are exempt from Stage 3 regulations.

WASHING VEHICLES OR BOATS:

• Permitted only to wash off sea water.

WASHING SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS, WINDOWS OR EXTERIOR BUILDING SURFACES: 

• Not permitted except for health and safety regulations.

FILLING SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, GARDEN PONDS, OR FOUNTAINS 

• Not permitted.

“The current demand on the South Pender water system is at an all-time high. To ensure we only use what is permitted under the McNeill Lake water licence and help maintain supply for the remainder of the summer, we are asking South Pender Harbour residents and businesses to follow Stage 3 water conservation regulations,” says Mark Brown, Interim General Manager, Infrastructure Services. “If the current water use in South Pender continues without change, we will need to urgently move to Stage 4 (severe) water conservation regulations use.”

For more information, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details. Ever wonder where you get your water from? Visit www.scrd.ca/water-distribution to find out.

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